Irish exports in 2011 increased by just under 5% to €171bn which represents a rise of €8bn according to the Irish Exporters Association (IEA). The IEA said there was limited success to date in the fast growing BRIC markets ( Brazil, Russia , India , China), which still accounts for less than 4% of Irish exports .The association warned that we are already playing catch up with most of our competitors in these markets, and that a comprehensive rethink of the Governments export strategy was now needed to help exporters target these high growth economies , 'leap frogging the competition' and delivering growth not just next year but over the next decade when Europe is expected to decline.