We take a look at some of the key economic news in 2011. Following 3 years of negative growth the trend is now positive.

Technologies from seven Irish companies blasted into space on board the two Galileo satellites that were launched this October, as part of a mission to give Europe its own satellite navigation system.

Bruxism (grinding one’s teeth) affects 8-20% of the population and can cause headaches and jaw pain. There is no test to diagnose it, and there is no method to show if treatment is effective.

Irish brothers Gavin and Iain McConnon are opening an office in Los Angeles this month to take on the potentially massive US market for mobile payment solutions. This will be the third international office to roll out their boxPAY platform, which allows web-based merchants to get a payments gateway for customers anywhere in the world up and running within minutes.

When businessman John Hughes ('Insulcheck' ) took his dog for a walk in his local park in Rathfarnham, Dublin, two years ago, a new business venture was the last thing on his mind. Now he is set to take a new product to market that could help millions of diabetes sufferers worldwide.

A number of Irish companies announced significant new contracts and business alliances during Enterprise Ireland’s trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar this October, underscoring their ongoing success in these rapidly growing markets and right across the Gulf region.

A record number of Irish companies explored overseas market opportunities during this year’s 'International Markets Week'.

Around 675 companies undertook over 2,000 meetings with Enterprise Ireland’s overseas teams, which travelled from the agency’s 31 offices around the world, to sit down on a one-to-one basis and advise businesses on their export growth strategies.

This November Education in Ireland and the seven Irish universities will launch a new US Student Ambassador Program, connecting prospective American students and their families with those already studying in Ireland.