Germany is called ‚export champion’ – however, the impressive figures only reflect to a minor percentage the small and medium-sized companies.

The sheer total size of all exports is put into perspective, however, when looking to its neighbour countries with regard to the exports per inhabitant: Such figures show – as per to the CIA-Worldbook 2005 – the following results: Germany abt. US$ 12.330, Austria abt. US$ 14.900, Switzerland abt. US$ 19.800 and Belgium even abt. US$ 25.900. Accordingly there still is room for improvement, especially as the industrial basis of these neighbour countries are not really comparable with Germany.

Facts and hindrances

If one takes into consideration that the export business in this case reflects abt. 30 % of the total GDP, the average German company should export roughly this percentage. As, however, bakeries, shoemakers as well as trading companies