Almost 15,000 jobs were lost last year according to new figures released today by the Industrial Development Authority.
However, the net loss after gains are taken into consideration stands at close to 3,000.
The IDA end of year report shows that the number of new investments last year was up by two thirds on 2001.
Even though job trends slowed in 2002, the IDA say that there is a bright future expected for 2003.