Archiv 2003
16. November 2003 - PR 78/2003
Rapidly expanding business links of the automation industry with China
– Continuous growth in Chinese exports to
Germany
– 30 percent rise in German exports to China
in 2002
Shanghai, November 16, 2003 – In 2002, the exports of the German automation industry to China rose to an all-time high of € 843 million. This represents an increase of approximately one third on the previous year’s figure. Measuring, testing and analysis equipment accounted for the largest share of the exports to China. Over the same period Germany’s total exports of automaion technology rose by almost three percent to € 18 billion.
At the same time Chinese automation companies supplied more products to Germany than ever before (total value: € 345 million). Motors and dc machinery accounted for the largest proportion of these exports (40 percent). China has become the world’s second largest exporter (after Germany) of electric drive equipment (export volume: € 3.4 billion). This figure includes approximately three billion small-sized electric motors, the majority of which cost between 13 and 37 cents each.
Further growth in bilateral cooperation
China is the largest foreign supplier of electronic and electrical engineering products to Germany. In addition, the People’s Republic is a preferred region for direct investment by German companies. According to a survey by the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI), 25 percent of the companies planning to invest abroad over the next three years have their sights set on China. This is the highest figure for any target region worldwide. Therefore German companies will continue to benefit from the close trading links with China in the current year.
In all, the German automation industry has a strong international orientation (export share in 2002: 71 percent). Almost half of the automation industry’s exports went to the European region. With a share of 12.7 percent, South East Asia is in second place and also boasts the highest growth rate (14 percent). So ‘Factory Automation ASIA’ will play a significant strategic role for the German automation industry in addition to the annual HANNOVER FAIR in Germany. The ZVEI will be represented at the German Pavilion (Hall 3, Stand 3B1-2) at ‘Factory Automation Asia’.