The ZVEI (Central Association of the German Electrical and Electronics Industry) in Germany reported that in May 2011 the exports of the German electrical industry amounted to 13 billion Euros which is 16 percent up on the corresponding figure of the previous year. In the first five months of this year electrical industry exports increased by 14 percent compared to the previous year to 62 billion Euros.

In May 2011 as well as in the cumulated period from January 2011 to May 2011 it was the German electrical industry exports to China (plus 37 percent or rather plus 28 percent compared with the previous year) and the USA (plus 31 percent or rather plus 26 percent) which showed the most notable above average increases. Both countries each account for seven percent of total industry exports.

In May 2011 imports of electrotechnical and electronic products to Germany saw only a slight increase of one percent compared with the previous year. This was due, in particular, to a six percent drop in imports from South-East Asia. 45 percent of all German electrical industry imports come from this region. From January 2011 to May 2011 the total volume of imports exceeded the previous year’s level by eight percent.