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For the first time in 26 years, ASEAN has expanded its ranks, with Timor-Leste officially admitted as the grouping’s 11th member on 26 Oct 2025.
In September, the ASEAN manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 51.6 from 51.0 in August, marking the strongest improvement since July 2024 and signalling continued expansion in the ASEAN manufacturing sector.
China's aggressive economic and trade policy is putting pressure on Europe's mechanical engineering sector. Together with VDMA Italia, Italian companies have discussed ways to deal with this situation.
The Russian central bank is keeping interest rates high while growth is stagnating and inflation is not abating. Stagflation is looming - with structural problems, war and sanctions in the background.
With its young population, growing middle class, and strategic location, Egypt offers a wide range of opportunities for companies in North Rhine-Westphalia—particularly through investments in infrastructure, energy, digitalization, and industry.
Vietnam is in the midst of a far-reaching administrative reform that is realigning the country politically and economically - with consequences for European mechanical engineering companies.
The additional tariffs imposed by the USA on imports from Southeast Asia are placing a heavy burden on the region.
Europe's mechanical engineering companies are facing major challenges in Southeast Asia. More local proximity, strategic adaptation and the courage to question familiar ways of thinking are needed.
In 2026, global machinery and equipment turnover is expected to grow by 2% on a price-adjusted basis. Growth in Asia will remain above average. Stagnation looms in the EU-27.
Economic development varies greatly around the world. Signs of recovery are still weak at present. There has been an extensive revision of data in the USA.
In our quarterly report, we provide you with information on India's macroeconomic development, as well as detailed information on the manufacturing industry and individual sectors with a particular focus on machinery & equipment.
With effect from May 29, 2025, the EU has largely, but not completely, lifted its sanctions against Syria. This is in response to the change in US policy towards Syria announced by President Trump in Saudi Arabia.
The VDMA informs its members twice a year about the development of the chemical industry in Brazil, China, France, Turkey, the USA and the United Kingdom.
In light of Trump’s tariffs, analysts highlight ASEAN’s risks from trade tensions but remain optimistic about the region's resilience. Singapore’s semiconductor industry stays cautious, exporters diversify suppliers and customers amid uncertainties.
Intercompany license agreements between the parent company in Germany/Europe and the subsidiary in China are of considerable importance in practice.
EU machinery and equipment manufacturing companies currently rate their competitive position as worse than the long-term average. This is particularly true to companies based in Germany.
India's Interim Union Budget for 2024 projects a reduction in the revised fiscal deficit and a decline in inflation. These key economic indicators signal a promising future for the Indian economy, even amidst global economic uncertainties.
How are exports to Africa and the Middle East developing? Which are the largest local markets, which product groups are most in demand and what are the most important supplier countries? In our theme publication you will find facts, figures and data on foreign trade with Africa and the Middle East from the perspective of the mechanical and plant engineering sector.
Singapore’s Budget 2025 presents significant opportunities for businesses to reduce costs, invest in workforce development, and adopt digital innovations.
Malaysia and Singapore launched the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) in January 2025. The new economic initiative aims to drive significant business growth with as many as 50 projects and create 20,000 skilled jobs.
As in the previous year, demand for capital goods was weak in 2024. Machinery and equipment worth an estimated 3.26 trillion euros was sold worldwide, 1.5% less than in 2023.
New orders for machinery in Japan fell by 3.5% in January compared to the previous month, while the order backlog reached a record high due to a shortage of labor and transportation capacity.
Despite a slight decline in machinery exports to Kazakhstan in 2024, the German mechanical engineering industry remains confident
In the first half of 2025, price-adjusted production output in the EU machinery and equipment sector shrank by 3% compared to the previous year.
The United States is the largest export market and the most important location for the German mechanical engineering industry. The chart pack provides information on the structure and development of the machinery market.
The quarterly report "Machinery & Equipment in China" contains relevant key figures such as production, sales, profit and investment trends in the local mechanical engineering industry as well as important customer industries in China.
The VDMA Liaison Office for the ASEAN region supports the European mechanical engineering industry: regional presence, understanding the needs of member subsidiaries and improving regional services and offerings.
The study compares the salary structures of 80 key positions in manufacturing and business-related services across the Czech Republic and its regions.
VDMA member companies see the US market as an opportunity and are cautiously optimistic about the coming years. Many are building on good or even very good competitiveness, but this must be defended.
The following summarizes the discussions with VDMA members' branches in Turkey and with Turkish mechanical engineering companies as well as the second meeting of VDMA members in Istanbul.
In 2024, German machinery exports to Latin America increased by 0.8% - after three previous years of strong growth. The Chart Pack provides facts and figures on the market.
The global economy is in a phase of reorientation, characterized by uncertainty, fragmentation and technological transformation.
We have further expanded our data offering for the USA: The new economic indicators dashboard for the USA now also includes detailed price statistics.
Correspondents at Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) provide daily updates on economic developments in over 50 countries. This article covers all you need to know about mechanical engineering in Africa. Stay informed about the most important issues.
Africa is in the focus of politics and offers the economy many opportunities. In order for German interests and companies to survive in competition with China, among others, the VDMA is calling for adjustments from policymakers.
Stay successful in a volatile market: VDMA offers an interactive report on European business climate indicators. Follow the developments of your most important European target markets and customer industries at a glance and make informed decisions based on current data.
There are many reasons for European companies to think about diversification of supply chains, production sites and sales markets. Indonesia is increasingly coming into focus in the machinery and plant engineering sector.
It's the same exercise every year: as part of the preparation of the management report, an overview of the overall economic development and the situation in the industry usually has to be provided.
The global mechanical and plant engineering industry reached a new record high in 2021. In euro terms, around 15% more machines were sold than in the previous year. China cracked the 1 trillion euro mark.
