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Published: 8 June 2009

Group business activities pushed up international trade in services in 2008

The exports and imports of services increased in 2008 according to the preliminary results of the foreign trade in services statistics. This growth was especially affected by increased transactions within international group enterprises and the centralisation of group activities from abroad to Finland. In exports the changes are visible especially in the exports of computer and construction services. In imports the growth resulting from increased internationalisation was divided into more items, but is visible in particular as the increase in research and development services. The surplus from foreign trade in services increased over one billion euros during 2008 compared to the surplus in 2007.

Finland’s key trade partners in service exports were Germany, India and Sweden. Correspondingly, key trade partners in service imports were Germany, the USA and Sweden.

As regards exports, royalties and licence fees increased significantly as well. The exports of telecommunications and other business services fell clearly in 2008. Especially the fall in net income from merchanting decreased the exports of other business services.

The growth in imports was divided more evenly across service items. In addition to research and development services, the imports of royalties and licence fees, advertising and market research as well as computer services increased significantly.

The foreign trade in services statistics are based on the survey on foreign trade in services carried out by Statistics Finland.The statistics do not include transportation-, travel-, insurance- and financial services.

Source: Foreign trade in services 2008, preliminary results, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Jaakko Salmela (09) 1734 2953, Marjatta Tenhunen (09) 1734 2927

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Appendix tables

• Imports of services by service type, 2002-2008, mill. euro (8.6.2009)
• Exports of services by service type, 2002-2008, mill. euro (8.6.2009)
• Exports of services by country, 2002-2008, mill. euro (8.6.2009)
• Imports of services by country, 2002-2008, mill. euro (8.6.2009)

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Updated 8.6.2009