ECONOMY outside of Europe. Additionally, half of our 100 foreign offi ces are located in overseas destinations.” The biggest export increases were also achieved with countries outside of Europe: led by Mexico (+28%), followed by the USA (17%), Turkey (16%), the U.A.E. (16%), and India (15%). These are then followed by the fi rst European states, among which – according to Koren – “There are several which were very important for our good export performance in 2015.” For example, the Czech Republic and Poland in Central Eastern Europe, as well as Great Britain and Spain in the west. One of course has to mention the foreign trade development with Germany as well, as it is Austria’s most important foreign trade partner. After an intermediate stagnation in the fi rst eleven months of 2015, exports increased again by 3.7%. The USA, Italy, Switzerland, France, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Great Britain, Poland, and China in tenth position all follow Germany in the top ranking of Austria’s most important foreign trade partners. In 2014 Russia was in the 11th position, but it moved back to the 15th due to reciprocal sanctions. 16 JUNE 2016 © Pixabay, WKO 14 EU COUNTRIES AND SIX THIRD COUNTRIES AMONG THE 20 MOST IMPORTANT PARTNER COUNTRIES More than half of Austrian exports went to only 5 partner countries in 2015. Third countries like Switzerland, the United States and China were also among them. Austria’s 20 most important trade partners were responsible for 87.5% of all imports and 83.8% of all exports – among them are 14 EU states and 6 third countries. All of Austria’s neighbouring states, with the exception of Liechtenstein, were among these top 20 partner countries in both trade directions. 16 of the 20 import partners had positive developments – six were highly dynamic: The United States (+19.3%), Poland (+15.6%), Switzerland (13.0%), Turkey (+12.2%), China (+8.0%), and Japan (+7.4%). Hungary moved down two ranks to #9 in this ranking; France and the Netherlands were at #7 and #8 respectively (#8 and #9 in 2014). Poland (#10) and Slovakia (#11) switched positions, while Turkey moved up one position to #18. Romania made the jump into the top 20 (to #19). As in 2014, the Russian Federation remained at #13 (moving down from 2013’s #10). The ranking of the top 20 export partners also presented a new picture. Apart from changes at #2 (USA) and #3 (Italy), the Russian Federation moved from #11 in 2014 to #16 (-38.1% to 1.98 bn. euros). As a direct result, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Romania moved up between #11 and #15. Turkey and Japan switched positions at the lower end of this top 20 ranking. The decrease in exports amounted to 40 percent. “The sanctions achieved nothing, they only caused damages on both sides. The politicians have to gradually get us out of this again. From an economic perspective, ending these sanctions is very important for Russia’s and Europe’s stability,” says Leitl. PROMISING INDUSTRIES Over 80 percent of Austrian exports come from the four biggest groups in terms of value: “Machines and Vehicles” (+4.4% to 52.20 bn. euros), “Manufactured Goods” (+3.1% to 29.01 bn. euros), “Chemical Products” (+0.7% to 17.92 bn. euros), “Other Finished Goods” (+2.4% to 15.21 bn. euros). The traditionally most important product group of the Austrian foreign trade sector in 2015 was once again “Machines and Vehicles” with an import share of 34.1 percent and an export share of 39.7 percent. The increase of exports in this product group is mainly due to “Electric Machines and Devices” with +8.9%, “Machines (not otherwise specifi ed)” (+7.0%) and “Road Vehicles” (+6.7%). The second most important product group “Manufactured Goods” had absolute increases in imports and exports of 0.86 bn. euros each. “Other Finished Goods” had the second biggest absolute increase in imports (+0.98 bn. euros), following “Machines and Vehicles” but still ahead of “Manufactured Goods”. The product group “Fuel and Energy” had the strongest decrease in imports with -2.58 bn. euros. Exports of services will become increasingly important in the future. Koren: “Service exports currently amount to approximately 30 percent of exported goods and contribute signifi cantly to this positive track record. We expect an increase in exported services of over 4% to 53 bn. euros.” The international demand for expert surveys in technical and creative sectors – logistics and construction services, engineering, software, architecture and design – is particularly promising. In total, Austrian companies sell their products and services in 220 countries around the world. “We were able to increase the number of Austrian exporters from 12,500 to currently 55,000 with our export promotion initiatives. The goal for 2025 is to bring 100,000 Austrian companies to the international market,” says Leitl. Today, Austrian companies already stand for innovative and topquality products, which are in high demand around the world.
NEW BUSINESS - EXPORT TODAY 1/2016
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