Austria's export economy experienced uninterrupted dynamic growth in the first quarter of 2008. Both goods and service exports saw significant increases. The trade balance therefore continues to show a stable trend towards greater surpluses.
In the first quarter of 2008, the trade surplus rocketed from EUR 4.1 bn to EUR 5.4 bn year-on-year. Austrian exporters managed to grow their exports by 7% to EUR 30.6 bn, while imports rose by 4% to EUR 29.8 bn. Foreign demand for Austrian services continued to grow, achieving a plus of 10% to EUR 12.3 bn.