A PROJECT run by An Bord Trachtala has placed 900 executives and created an estimated 7,500 new jobs, the Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, said last night.

The Marketplace programme, which places first-time marketing executives and was introduced several years ago, has helped appoint 55 people this year and will place another 65 next year, he said.

He cited a survey showing that the average Marketplace company increases sales by 20 per cent and employment by 14.5 per cent within one year. Some 75 per cent introduce new products and enter new markets, the survey claimed.