According to the german ZVEI (Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie) [Central Association Electrical Technology and Electronics], the German electrical technology and electronic industries expects a growth in turnover of 2% to 3% to approximately 170 b Euro. According to the association, the level of employment of almost 800,000 persons can probably be maintained. In 2005 the turnover of this second largest German industry sector grew by only 1.4% to 165 b Euro. With declining inland turnovers again (-0.5%), the industry was able to extend its directly invoiced foreign customer turnover by 3.6% to 73.6 b Euro and thus achieve a record level. According to ZVEI president Krubasik, the proportion of deliveries to German companies in other countries played an increasing role.
In total, German electrical exports in 2005 increased by 5.4% to 135.5 Euro. Here, the second half of the year with a growth of 7% developed better than the first half of the year with a growth of 3.5%. Strong growth was experienced in the industry especially in Non-European growth markets and in the new EU member states. Exports to China, however, after ten years of stormy growth, showed a very slight decrease for the first time. For 2006, the ZVEI again expects the first noticeable upturn in inland demand since 2001. Especially the demand for investment goods as well as pre-products - for example in machine construction – has improved markedly. In automation, inland demand with an increase of almost 10% over the change of the years 2005/2006, has increased substantially.
Rather damped, however was construction activities and consumer goods demand. This affected the white goods industries and lighting technology, among others. In consumer electronics, the ZVEI, after an increase of almost 8% in 2005, expects a further growth of the German market of the same amount.
