BDI* foreign economic report *Federation of german industries

The BDI,is expecting rising export growth for 2014 and anticipates an increase of at least two percent.

»The global economy is continuing on its path of growth. Europe will emerge clearly from recession, though the pace will be moderate. Reform efforts in the eurozone will slowly show an effect.«

That was the view of Markus Kerber, Director General of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), at the presentation of the latest BDI Foreign Economic Report in Berlin on Monday. The signs are pointing to growth.

»The WTO agreement on Bali is a welcome shot in the arm for world trade.«

»The agreement will lead to cost savings for business enterprises since bureaucratic obstacles are to be dismantled and customs procedures will operate more rapidly and transparently in the future.«

Many of the new agreements will benefit branches of industry such as mechanical engineering and the automotive industry, especially in their trade with the developing nations. The food and drinks industry will also gain from the provisions governing the more rapid despatch of perishable goods.
    
Despite the setback resulting from the budget dispute in Congress, the economy in the USA continued its recovery in the third quarter. As possible risks for export-oriented sectors in the New Year, Kerber pointed to the still rising number of protectionist measures along with a further rise in the value of the euro. For the current year 2013 the BDI is anticipating a rise in exports of between 1.5 percent and 2 percent, meaning that Germany’s share of world trade will remain stable at around 7 to 8 percent.