Export confidence up – survey

DESPITE a strong Australian dollar and tight labour market, local exporters are bullish in their outlook for the next 12 months, according to a survey by global freight and logistics operator, DHL. The DHL Export Barometer found 69 per cent of Australian exporters expected an increase in orders over the next 12 months, up from 60 per cent at the same time last year. And 46 per cent of exporters expected to increase orders over the next quarter. However, businesses also reported several challenges, such as capacity and supply constraints, with half of those surveyed stating they had been adversely affected by the high exchange rate. Europe was the fastest growing export destination, with 65 per cent of exporters increasing their orders in that market during the year, followed by China (61 per cent) and South Asia (56 per cent), which was led by India. WA continues to experience staff shortages and wage pressures above other states, having the greatest number of businesses expecting to recruit employees during the next year (60 per cent), ahead of its counterpart mining state Queensland (52 per cent) and Victoria (46 per cent). WA also reported the highest number of businesses anticipating a salary hike in the next 12 months (80 per cent), closely followed by Queensland (79 per cent) and New South Wales (74 per cent). The mining sector led technology investment, with 77 per cent of companies having invested in new technology over the past year, followed by the manufacturing (67 per cent) and services (57 per cent) sectors.