Malaysia is Leading Export Nation to Germany in Asean

FRANKFURT, June 23 (Bernama)-- Despite a decline in exports to Germany, Malaysia retained its position as the leading export nation to that country in the first quarter of 2012. According to the Hamburg-based Asia Pacific Business Council, Malaysia’s exports to Germany in the first quarter amounted to 1.36 billion euros (US$1.71 billion), down 17.4 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year. The Asia Pacific Business Council comprises members who are all German companies dealing with or having any industrial or business dealings with the Asia Pacific region. German exports to Malaysia in the same three-month period of 2012 rose to 1.255 billion euros (US$1.58 billion), up 18 per cent from the same period of the previous year. In respect of imports from Germany, Malaysia is placed second behind Singapore within the Asean group. Total exports by Asean member states was at 6.653 billion euros (US$8.37 billion) in the first quarter of the year, up 23.1 per cent over the same period from the previous year. Total German exports to the Asean member states amounted to 5.091 billion euros (US$6.40 billion), up 11.2 per cent from the same period previously. Imports from the entire Asia-Pacific region at 39.678 billion Euros (US$49.89 billion), down 2.3 per cent over the corresponding period previously while German exports to the region rose to 37.919 billion euros (US$47.68 billion), up 8.7 per cent. --BERNAMA