Plans for International Sourcing in Europe in 2007-2009 - Issue number 74/2009 - Products Statistics in Focus

International Sourcing, especially concerning services, is the more recent feature of the global economy. A survey carried out by twelve European countries showed that over the period 2001-2006, 16% of the surveyed enterprises have moved certain business functions abroad in search of lower costs, new market opportunities and other efficiency gains. For the period 2007-2009 Swedish, Danish and Finnish enterprises reported the highest rate for planned international sourcing. More than twice as many manufacturing enterprises are having plans for international sourcing than enterprises in other sectors and at the same time the importance of non-EU destinations is growing. Labour costs and access to new markets are the most important reasons for enterprises with plans for international sourcing. Proximity to clients and legal or administrative barriers are the two most important obstacles for enterprises with plans for international sourcing.