Major contracts saved France Export
The failure of the sale of the French EPR in Abu Dhabi should not be the tree hiding the forest: large civil contracts, ranging from aircraft sales to the supply of subways or turbines, are points Highlights from the French industry. By themselves, they represent nearly 10% of exports hexagonal. And on those 10%, aeronautics and space account for nearly half. The France can say thank you to Airbus!
In 2009, this particular sector of the export has not escaped the crisis. While major contracts to emerging markets had risen to 30 billion euros in 2008, they fell to 21 billion last year. But the situation was rectified by end of year: fourth quarter 2009, sales have recovered to their levels of early 2008. "Since last October, we see a rebound very clear orders.They are China, and to a lesser extent India and Brazil, which are driving the demand "said Frederic Sanchez, CEO of Fives, a group specializing in providing equipment isolated and turnkey plants for heavy industry, and also president of the International Committee of the MEDEF.
The entrepreneur remains cautious for 2010. "It is too early to say whether the recovery is sustainable. The industrial engineering, from developed countries but also emerging economies, we are very strong competition. Margins are under pressure, "says he. If the backlog of Airbus can see coming in the aircraft sales in 2010, there are no certainties about civil contracts. In all cases in 2009, Africa was the first major outlet for French contracts, including through gas projects in North Africa. Asia came in second.But the Middle East was disappointing, the volume of cases being dropped to the level of 2002.
See also:
The French trade deficit narrowed in 2009
"Idrac:" France takes its place in world trade "