Importance of EU exports for job opportunities increases

Exports are more important than ever for the European Union (EU), supporting 36 million jobs across Europe, two thirds more than in 2000, according to a new study published Tuesday by the European Commission.

Presented at the European Trade Policy Day 2018, a one-day event involving some 700 participants in Brussels, the new study showed that exports has been creating and supporting jobs all across the EU, with the highest increases seen since 2000 in Bulgaria, Slovakia and Portugal.

Since the beginning of this Commission in 2014, the number of jobs supported by exports increased by 3.5 million across EU.

Meanwhile, the figures released also highlighted an important positive spillover effect from exports, since EU firms providing goods and services along the supply chain also benefit when their end-customer sells the final product abroad.

EU exports to countries around the world support almost 20 million jobs outside the EU, more than doubled since 2000, the study showed.

Commenting on the result of the study, EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstroem said that exports from the EU to the world support the livelihoods of a vast, and increasing, number of citizens in every corner of Europe.

"So here's even more proof that trade can be a win-win: what's good for us is also good for our partners around the world," she added.

As part of the European Commission's transparent and inclusive trade policy agenda, the European Trade Policy Day 2018 focused on solutions to tackle the current challenges to fair and open global trade.