MIDDLE EAST KEY EXPORT DESTINATION
- Latest News
- Monday, 24 July 2006
Developed in conjunction with Austrade, the DHL Export Barometer also saw the Middle East shoot up as a key export destination, with 62 per cent expecting the region to increase orders in the coming year. This 26 per cent rise placed the Middle East behind only one other country - China - as a source of new export business.
Harlis Malkic, general manager, Australia, DHL Express, said the results underscore the strength and resilience of the export community.
“Despite a short term slump, 60 per cent of companies are forecasting export increases in the next 12 months: exactly the same figure as in April 2005. So there is certainly a feeling that things will return to normal once the uncertainty generated by a spike in oil prices settles down,” Malkic said.
The survey results confirmed China’s place as Australia’s rising star in the export market: it is expected to provide the most growth in both the short and long term. In the next 12 months one in three (66 per cent) respondents are expecting it to provide increased orders and the People’s Republic ranked highest in the list of Top 5 destinations in five years’ time - 30 per cent cited China - slightly ahead of South East Asia with 29 per cent.
Industry breakdowns in the survey reveal that mining continues to be the rush that never ended. Mining exporters expect strong performances over the next three months, with 50 per cent expecting increased orders over that period, followed by 44 per cent of services exporters and 40 per cent of manufacturers.
Around 69 per cent of services exporters expect business to improve over the year ahead, compared to 67 per cent of miners and 63 per cent of manufacturers.
The shortage of skilled labour is showing no signs of slowing, with 72 per cent of exporters complaining of a shortage of white collar/professional labour, whilst 56 per cent said they couldn’t get enough skilled tradespersons and 44 per cent lack unskilled labour. 37 per cent of exporters surveyed were concerned about the level of investment in education and training that is needed to ensure a steady flow of well trained, well qualified skilled workers in the future.
