"Chances in Germany"
Dutch exporters expect 7% growth in 2012
They are mainly optimistic about the chances that Germany offers. 56 percent of Dutch exporters see possibilities to increase their turnover there. Besides still seeing chances in Europe, exporters are widening their line of view to countries outside the European Union. Half entered new sales countries in 2011 and mainly the BRIC countries are a favoured export destination. Turkey is and remains an important growing market and entrepreneurs have high expectations for Indonesia in 2012.
This, and more, is apparent from the fourteenth edition of the report Trends in Export, the annual research by Atradius - Hollands largest credit insurer - and export union Fenedex, which was presented today. Trends in Export 2012 explores the question of how exporters view the changes in economic power between Europe and North America on one side and Asia and Latin America on the other. Traditionally three quarters of Dutch export goes to Europe. The growth expectations for the EU countries are low and the real growing markets are outside of Europe. The question is whether the vision of Dutch companies will move to upcoming markets on other continents.
"A review shows that 2011 has two faces. The growth figures in the first five months were spectacular, in the second half of the year it was obvious that the growth of the export was slowing down", says Bart Jan Koopman, manager of Fenedex. "We can look back at a good export year with a growth of 10 percent. The expectations for 2012 are very positive for most Dutch exporters. This is striking, because the expectations in Europe don't just indicate a decline in Holland, but even in the whole Eurozone, with a centre in South Europe. This may be related to the large faith in the German economy, where many exporters see many chances for expansion. There is also some export growth to the BRIC countries."
Despite the economic relapse in the second half of 2011 there was increased export turnover at 6 out of 10 companies. Almost three quarters of these indicate that an increase in orders from (existing) customers is the main reason for this. Entering new export markets, intensifying sales efforts and improved products and services also resulted in an increase in turnover. For 10 percent the export turnover decreased compared to 2010. Like in the previous two years the economic crisis is the main cause, followed by turnover decrease on the main export markets. An increase in competition was also a cause for decreased turnover.
Source: Fenedex