The signs are good for exporters, in the medium-term at least, according to a recent survey.
EXPORTERS are positive about the future despite the effects of global economic downturn, a survey has found, supporting projections from Western Australia's peak business group about the state's medium term external outlook.
A national survey of 800 exporters undertaken by market research firm ACA Research, on behalf of Austrade, suggested exporters expect orders to increase over the coming year.
The DHL Export Barometer, released last month, is an annual trade survey held since 2003.
In analysing this year's results, Austrade chief economist Tim Harcourt said exporters expected the Middle Eastern, Indian, Latin American and Chinese markets to make up for the adverse effects on their orders during the past year in more established markets such as the US, the UK, Europe and Japan.
"The worst effects of the global financial crisis are over, according to Australian exporters," Mr Harcourt said in his report analysis.
"Whatever they may have suffered in the past months, exporters are equally as confident as they were in 2008 that the coming months will only see export orders increase.
"That's good news for business, good news for workers and, ultimately, good news for the whole country."
The survey found almost 80 per cent of exporters think orders will increase or at least stay the same over the next year, while 43 per cent believe an increase will be seen in just the next three months.
However, 71 per cent of exporters have been adversely affected by the downturn, the biggest impact being felt in WA and in the mining and tourism sectors.
Mr Harcourt said 65 per cent of exporters felt the GFC had a negative effect on sales revenue.
"WA ... has borne the brunt of the past 12 months, with 80 per cent of WA exporters negatively impacted by the GFC," Mr Harcourt said.
"This is partly due to the expected fall in commodity prices.
"The mining and tourism industries have been most affected in the last 12 months as a result of the GFC - 89 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively, reported a negative impact.
"Interestingly enough, the mining industry is also expecting the greatest increase of export orders in the following 12 months; 71 per cent anticipating an increase."
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA's quarterly economic outlook for the external sector, ending the June quarter, was upbeat as net exports improved by 32.5 per cent, to stand 7.9 per cent higher over the year.
This was the largest quarterly increase on record largely driven by minerals and energy exports, in particular iron ore.
CCIWA chief economist John Nicolaou said while WA's economy was expected to contract by 1per cent in 2009-10, medium term prospects for the local economy remained positive.
"CCI predicts the WA economy will grow by 4.5 per cent in 2010-11 and by 5.5 per cent in 2011-12, bolstered by stronger conditions overseas and renewed demand for WA exports," Mr Nicolaou told WA Business News.
"There are early signs that the worst of the downturn may be coming to an end."
