Abstracting from price effects, export volumes are expected to rise by about six per cent in 2001, building on this year's estimated gain of 10 per cent. Telecommunications, aerospace, computers and other machinery and equipment as well as services will lead export sales in 2001. This reflects the ongoing global investment boom, which is being fed by the drive to restructure companies and boost productivity. As predicted by EDC last spring, Canada's export sales have become more geographically balanced this year. This pattern is expected to continue in 2001, with exports to the U.S. growing by seven per cent while exports to most other markets post double-digit growth.
Oil prices are the wild card.
EDC provides trade finance and risk management services to Canadian exporters and investors in up to 200 markets. Founded in 1944, EDC is a Crown corporation that operates as a commercial financial institution.