Trade exchanges between Romania and Germany slightly up, to 42.1 B euros, in 2024 

Trade exchanges between Romania and Germany saw a moderate increase last year, up to 42.1 billion euros, with Romania maintaining its 17th position among Germany's trading partners, according to a press release of the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania).The increase in trade volume compared to 2023 is 0.9%. Imports from Romania amounted to 19.8 billion euros (+1.4%), and German exports to Romania reached 22.4 billion euros (+0.6), AHK Romania informs, based on data taken from the German Federal Statistical Office, Destatis."Trade between Germany and Romania will remain at a high level in 2024. Despite global economic challenges, Romania has managed to assert its position among Germany's top 20 trading partners, which underlines the importance of bilateral economic relations. However, compared to the previous year, growth was moderate, which is explained by the current difficult economic situation in Germany and the European Union. Solid growth impulses can still be generated if we focus on increasing competitiveness. This requires lower energy costs, reducing bureaucratic procedures for companies, a better environment for innovations, which also involves the development of appropriate skills and the strengthening of the European single market, respectively the reduction of existing barriers," explained Sebastian Metz, general director of AHK Romania, quoted in the press release.For an increase in competitiveness in Romania, he believes its is necessary to increase spending on education and research at least to the level of the European average. Sebastian Metz mentioned that Europe must continue to focus on concluding international trade agreements with other regions of the world as soon as possible, in order to balance the potential deterioration of relations with traditional partners. "Diversifying trade partnerships is an important strategy to reduce dependencies and, implicitly, risks. The Romanian government can also make efforts in this regard at the European level," Metz added.AHK Romania is the official representative office of the German economy in Romania. Established in 2002, AHK has more than 670 member companies and offers companies an important platform for networking, exchanging information and experiences. Through the services it offers and the events it organizes, AHK Romania actively supports German companies in their entry into the Romanian market and is also a partner of Romanian companies interested in the German market. Since January 1, 2020, the Competence Centre for the Republic of Moldova has also been operating within AHK Romania.