Export and import of France: main macroeconomic indicators. Foreign economic activity of France in modern conditions

As E. P. Ostrovskaya notes in the book “The French Economy in the Post-Industrial World”, due to the general lag in the development of the economic system, changes in the structure of foreign trade began in France later than in other developed countries, but they happened very quickly. During the 60s and early 70s, France was able to overcome such negative aspects as the lag in the share of exports in GDP (half that of the EU leaders), and the unsatisfactory structure of exports (machinery and equipment - less than one fifth), double the rate of export growth.

Trade in goods

At the moment, France is one of the major participants in world trade, 6th in the world in terms of exports and 5th in imports.

Export

In 2010, total French exports amounted to $456.8 million: Commodity structure of French exports:

Finished goods 57.8%:

Machinery, equipment (especially for the aircraft industry) and vehicles 42.3%

Consumer goods 15.5% including pharmaceutical goods (features of French statistics that classify them as consumer goods). The share of the textile and footwear industry is also large.

Semi-finished products 24.8%, especially products of the chemical industry

1. Raw materials and fuel 5.9%

The main commodity specialization of French exports is cars 14.5% and agricultural products 11.6%, medicines and cosmetics 10.2%, aircraft and aerospace industry products 7.3%. In general, the structure of the French sector is quite consistent with the normal for a developed country, but is characterized by an extremely high share of the agro-industrial complex.

France's key export trading partners are Germany (14.3%), Italy (8.7%), Spain (8.3%), England (7.8%), Belgium (7.6%), USA (5.8%).

Import

Total French imports in 2010 amounted to $532.2 billion, which is a decline from the 2008 level ($692 billion).

Commodity structure of imports:

Machinery and equipment

Automotive and aircraft products

Raw oil

Products of the chemical industry

Key import partners are Germany (17.9%), Belgium (11.7%), Italy (8.3%), Spain (6.9%), the Netherlands (6.8%), England (5.1%), USA (4.3%).

Trade in services

In terms of trade in services, France currently ranks third in the world in terms of exports, behind the US and the UK. If we consider the structure of the French trade in servants, the main place here is occupied by tourism (in 2006, 37.6% of all exports of services), about 80 million tourists visit France annually. Also important areas for the export of services are: transport (23.8%), and business or corporate services (23.7%). Exceptionally low is the indicator of information services, only 1%, with 3.4% on average in the EU. It is important to note that despite the generally good position in the export of services, France lags behind in the most innovative areas, and traditional services with low value added that do not require highly skilled labor and innovation are best represented in the export structure.

Export and import of capital

France has traditionally been one of the world's leading exporters of capital. According to the Bank of France, total French investments abroad in 2009 amounted to 105.9 billion euros. Of the total French FDI, the EU-27 countries accounted for 77.5% (€82.1 billion) in 2009, of which the EU-16 countries accounted for 50.4%, and the remaining EU countries accounted for 27.1%. Other developed countries accounted for 9.9% (the most attractive were the US, Japan and Switzerland). Other countries (countries with economies in transition, developing and underdeveloped countries) respectively accounted for 12.6% (of which Brazil, China and India were in priority).

France attracted $57.4 billion in foreign direct investment in 2010, up 22% from 2009. But the position of France in terms of attractiveness to foreign investors is still sporting, despite a number of positive factors such as a large market, excellent transport and communications infrastructure and financial system. First of all, socio-economic factors, peculiarities of labor legislation, and the lag in the development of innovative industries, high taxes, and shortcomings in the organization of R&D prevent France from becoming more attractive to foreign investors.

France's trade balance is strong, with exports exceeding imports, but imports are growing faster than exports. The share of exports in GDP in 2000 was 23.5%. France is the world's fourth largest exporter and importer of goods. Commodity exports in 2000 amounted to 307 billion dollars - 5.7 of world exports; commodity imports - 287.2 billion dollars - 5.2 of world imports. As for services, the total volume of their exports in 2000 exceeded $78.6 billion (6.1% of the world), and imports - $62.8 billion (4.9%). The trade balance is positive, its balance in 2000 was $35.6 billion.

Approximately 1/7 of its national product is exported. Industry accounts for about 4/5 of the national export of goods and services.

The foreign trade of the country is characterized by the following features:

– trade with a relatively small group of countries, primarily with the EU countries;

- in trade with industrial goods with economically developed countries (Japan, USA), the trade balance is passive;

– low level of product diversification;

– rather high dependence on imports of fuel and raw materials.

Thus, the main sphere of application of French capital is the countries of Western Europe, especially Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland, as well as African countries. The importance of exports to OPEC countries and Latin America is growing.

The penetration of foreign capital into France is most of all from the EU countries and the USA. The French government actively and purposefully stimulates the inflow of foreign capital into the country's industrial enterprises, especially if these investments are accompanied by the import of advanced foreign technology, the expansion of exports, the creation of new jobs, and the acceleration of the development of backward regions of the country. The country ranks third in terms of US investment after the UK and Germany.

Commodity composition of French exports is very diverse. This testifies not only to the versatility of its economy, but also to the relatively weak specialization of the country in the international division of labor, especially in comparison with Germany and Great Britain. In French exports, the share of food and industrial raw materials is higher than in the exports of Germany and Great Britain, and the share of finished products (industrial equipment, machinery) is lower.

The commodity structure of the country's exports is dominated by transport engineering (cars, aircraft, helicopters, locomotives), weapons, equipment for nuclear power plants, space technology, electrical engineering, steel and aluminum, textiles and clothing. Thanks to the successful development of nuclear power, France ranks first in the region among electricity exporters. At the same time, the share of advanced and high technology goods in the country's exports is lower than in the exports of the United States, Japan, and Germany. In terms of the value of exports of agricultural products and food products, France is second only to the United States. It is a world leader in the export of spirits, grains, dairy products, sugar, etc. and at the same time a major buyer of cheap wines from the Mediterranean countries.

France's imports exceed 50% of the output of such important branches of modern industry as basic chemistry, the production of electrical and electronic equipment; about 60% of imports are investment goods. Huge oil imports are the main cause of the trade deficit.

Coffee, cocoa, tea and other products of tropical agriculture are also imported.

Many French products are of high quality and novelty, but not all of them can withstand the competition of foreign products even in the domestic market, therefore, about 1/3 of those sold in the country

goods are imported.

After the Second World War, the geography of France's foreign trade changed dramatically. The share of trade with the former colonies - the countries of the "franc zone" has slightly decreased, but trade relations with the EU countries (more than 60%), the USA and OPEC countries have grown. The main trading partner of France is Germany (20% of the foreign trade turnover), then Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg.

In the services sector, there is a significant excess of exports over imports. France is the world's second largest exporter of services after the United States.

France is one of the largest importers of the European Union and an exporter of everything from commodities to cars.

The French economy was carefully planned to support international trade with a number of important products and commodities. France ranks fifth among the world's leading exporting countries (5.1%).

France also exports a number of high-value commodities, including machinery and vehicles, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, iron, steel, consumer goods, petroleum products and vehicles. Much of this foreign trade is with European partners, including Germany, the UK, Spain and Italy.

II. Economy of Russia

II.1. General brief description of the Russian economy.

The Russian Federation (RF) is the largest country in the world in terms of territory - 12.7% of the world's land, which is home to 2.2% of the world's population. RF was formed in 1991. as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union (Russia). The modern economic system has developed as a result of the breakdown of the state system, the destruction of the single economic space and economic mechanism.

In the system of Russia's foreign economic priorities, relations, for example, with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe still occupy an important place. In 2007, Russia entered the group of countries with a high level of human development.

The volume of Russia's GDP in 2009 amounted to 39,016.1 billion rubles in current prices. Its real volume relative to 2008. amounted to 92.1%. GDP deflator index for 2009 compared to 2008 prices. amounted to 102.7%.

Under the influence of reduced production and shifts in demand, there have been important changes in the structure of the economy. The share of material production decreased from 65 to 39%, while the service sector increased.

The position of agriculture and fisheries has changed radically. Their share has fallen from 16% to 5% of GDP, but they employ 13% of the country's population. The role of the natural sector has sharply increased in the production of agricultural products. The structure of production is dominated by crop production, 20 kg of mineral fertilizers are applied per hectare of cultivated land.

Serious changes have taken place in the structure of industrial production. The share of electric power industry, fuel extraction, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy has increased in it, while the share of mechanical engineering and light industry has sharply decreased.

The outbreak of the global economic crisis has not bypassed Russia. A sharp drop in world prices for traditional Russian exports, a decrease in the availability of cheap loans in late 2008 and early 2009 provoked a collapse in the Russian stock market, devaluation of the ruble, a decline in industrial production, GDP, household incomes, and an increase in unemployment. The anti-crisis measures of the government required spending a significant share of international reserves. As of July 1, 2009, the international reserves of the Central Bank amounted to 412.6 billion dollars. Compared to July 1, 2008, when the volume of Russia's international reserves amounted to 569 billion dollars, this figure decreased by 27.5%.

In May 2009, Russia's GDP fell by 11% compared to the same month last year. Exports fell by 45 percent compared to May 2008, amounting to $23.4 billion. Imports decreased by 44.6 percent to $13.6 billion. The trade balance decreased 1.8 times. In 2009, Russia's GDP fell by 8.5%, which was one of the worst indicators of GDP dynamics in the world. At the same time, these indicators allowed Russia to take second place in terms of GDP per capita among the republics of the former USSR, losing only to Estonia, and overtaking Latvia and Lithuania in this indicator.

In March 2010, a World Bank report noted that the losses to the Russian economy were less than expected at the start of the crisis. According to the World Bank, this was partly due to the large-scale anti-crisis measures taken by the government.

Russia is one of the world's largest investors in the economies of foreign countries. Russia held the largest number of US Treasury bonds, worth $60.2 billion, becoming one of the largest creditors of the United States at that time. Before the 2008 G8 summit in Japan, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson flew to Moscow with a request to support the falling dollar. Russia agreed in principle, only on its own terms.

The largest foreign investors in Russia are the Netherlands, Cyprus and Luxembourg, which account for 19.6%, 16% and 14.4%, respectively, of all accumulated investments in the country. The top ten largest investors include the UK (12.2%), Germany (6.7%), Ireland (3.9%), France (3.8%), the US (3.4%), the Virgin Islands (2 .7%) and Japan (2.5%)

In March 2010, in Paris, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, at a meeting with representatives of French and Russian business circles, announced that the volume of accumulated French investments in Russia exceeded $10 billion: “From 2003 to 2008, that is, in the pre-crisis year, our trade increased 5 times. Indeed, we already have a very decent amount of accumulated French investments. Moreover, about half of them are investments not in the raw materials industry, but in processing”

According to Boeing's press release for the summer of 2009, over the next 30 years, Boeing's business development plans in Russia amount to about $27 billion. They will be invested in a program of cooperation with Russian partners in the field of titanium production, design and development of civil aircraft, as well as the purchase of various services and materials.

As of January 1, 2010, in absolute terms, the Russian external public debt amounted to $37.6 billion. In relative terms, Russia's external public debt is only 3% of the country's GDP, which is one of the lowest in the world. For comparison, after the 1998 crisis, Russia's external debt amounted to almost 146.4% of GDP. According to the adopted three-year budget for the period 2008-2010, the public debt was to be kept within 2.5% of GDP. However, due to the fall in oil prices, Russia's budget has become a deficit, and already in 2010 the deficit is planned to be covered by new loans. In mid-2009, it was predicted that in the next three years, Russia's external debt would grow by at least $60 billion.

According to customs statistics in January-February 2010, Russia's foreign trade turnover amounted to 81.6 billion US dollars (taking into account data on trade with the Republic of Belarus) and increased by 43.5% compared to January-February 2009, including with non-CIS countries - 70.4 billion US dollars (growth by 43.4%), with CIS countries - 11.2 billion US dollars (growth by 44.2%).

The trade balance was positive in the amount of 34.4 billion US dollars, which is 18.9 billion US dollars more than in January-February 2009. At the same time, in trade with non-CIS countries, the balance amounted to 30.5 billion US dollars (an increase of 17.7 billion US dollars), with the CIS countries - 3.8 billion US dollars (an increase of 1.2 billion US dollars). USA).

paints, pharmaceuticals, household chemicals), Lyon (petrochemicals, polymeric materials, varnishes, paints, pharmaceuticals, household chemicals), Parisian (polymeric materials, varnishes, paints, pharmaceuticals, household chemicals), Lower Seine (petrochemicals, acids, alkalis, salts , soda ash and caustic soda, mineral fertilizers), Severny (petrochemicals, acids, alkalis, salts, soda ash and caustic soda, mineral fertilizers, varnishes, paints, pharmaceuticals, household chemicals). The textile industry regions are Alsace (cotton), Lyon (silk, artificial and synthetic fabrics), Northern (cotton, wool, hemp-jute, linen).

1. Dependence of the country on exports and imports of industrial products.

Exports of engineering products exceed imports, which means it can generate income. But France, for the development of agriculture and transport, needs to acquire products of railway engineering and tractor and agricultural engineering. Non-ferrous metallurgy products are mostly imported, since in France itself there are only centers of aluminum metallurgy (2 large) and lead and zinc metallurgy (1 largest). The extraction of iron ore (if any) is insufficient, so this raw material must be imported. Oil also needs to be imported.

1. Characteristics of agriculture
2. country specialization.

Great wines have always been made in France (the same Champagne comes from an area in France called Champagne). Most of the country specializes in grain farming and animal husbandry. In the late 1990s, France ranked fifth in terms of gross grain harvest (60 million tons, 1,000 kg per capita).

1. Main areas.

Near Clermont-Ferrand mountain-pasture cattle breeding is carried out. On the Loire River and on the strip from Bordeaux to Toulouse, from Toulouse to Marseilles, vegetable growing, fruit growing and viticulture are carried out. Field crops (grain crops, sugar beets, potatoes) and animal husbandry are developed in the vicinity of Paris. In the northwest and southwest of Toulouse, south of Saint-Etienne, around Nantes and east of Brest, livestock and field farming is developed. To the south of Rouen and Le Havre there are areas of meat and dairy cattle breeding on natural and cultivated meadows.

1. Dependence of the country on exports and imports of agricultural products.

The country needs to import industrial crops. Tropical crops need to be imported (sugarcane, coffee, cocoa, rubber), and there is probably insufficient production of subtropical crops (cotton, tea, tobacco, dates...)

1. Features of agrarian relations.

France is a post-industrial country, the share of agriculture in its GDP is 2% (industry 27%, services 71%). The main type of agricultural enterprise is a highly mechanized farm. Central European type of agriculture (the predominance of dairy and meat and dairy cattle breeding, pig breeding and poultry farming). Crop production satisfies the needs of the population for food and works for animal husbandry.

1. Infrastructure characteristic
2. Transport

The density of the road network exceeds 110 km per 100 km2 of territory. The density of railways is also quite high. Waterways along the Rhone, Seine and Loire. Port with a cargo turnover of more than 90 million tons of Marseille, from 20 to 90 Le Havre and Rouen. The largest share in the total cargo turnover is occupied by sea transport, in the passenger turnover by road.

1. Tourism.

In 1998, France ranked 1st in terms of tourism. The number of arrivals this year reached 70 million people. There is something to see in France: the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Palace of Versailles, the Lascaux Cave…

1. Education

Due to the fact that France is such a developed country that it is included in the G7, it can be assumed that the level of education of people is very high. The proportion of students: primary education 106%, secondary 111%, higher education 50.

1. main economic regions.

The largest industrial areas: Parisian, Rhone. Large industrial areas: Lower Seine, Lower Loire, North French, Marseilles, Alsace and Lorraine, South French.

1. The role and geography of foreign economic relations.

France is a member of many organizations. It is a member of the European Community, which makes it easier to cross borders with neighbors. Single customs and economic space. Joined NATO. In the 60s (under General De Gaulle) she came out. NATO is a unified military command for all its members. Member of the UN, an organization created to strengthen and maintain peace, security and development of cooperation between states.

Bibliography:

1. Janis Turlais Geographical Atlas of the World.- Riga: Janya Seta, M.: Rosmen, 1998.
2. N. N. Polunkina Atlas. Economic and social geography of the world. Grade 10. M.: FSUE Cartography, 2003.
3. V. S. Avtonomov, A. P. Kuznetsov… World and Russia. S.P.: School of Economics, 1999.
4. Maksakovskiy V.P. Geography. Grade 10. - M.: Enlightenment

Foreign trade occupies an important place in the French economy, since it provides about a third of the country's economic growth. The current results of foreign trade are clear evidence that France was able to radically change the situation in the late 80s and early 90s, adapt its economy to market trends in the world and stabilize the foreign trade balance (24, 90).

The structure of French exports has certain features. It has a higher proportion of agricultural goods and raw materials - 20%. At present, the leading positions in the country's foreign trade are occupied by machinery and equipment (43% of exports and 39% of imports). The largest share in this group of world trade is occupied by civil aircraft, electrical equipment and complete equipment for the construction of large industrial facilities, various types of weapons (warships, aircraft, army weapons) (22, 265).

The French economy is wide open to foreign relations. France ranks fourth in the world in the export of goods, second only to the United States, Germany and Japan, and third in the export of services, behind only the United States and Great Britain. The value of foreign trade turnover per capita in France is on average $8,700 per year (in the USA, $4,800; in Germany, $11,000; and in Great Britain, $7,200). Import of goods and services is 23.5% of GDP, export - 23% (22, 264).

The growth of the openness of the French economy is manifested in an increase in the export orientation of production in leading industries. The export quota for the manufacturing industry exceeds 36%, with a clear advantage for the branches of electrical engineering and transport engineering (22, 265).

France plays a significant role in world exports of the following manufactured goods: electrical equipment (9%), non-ferrous metals and organic chemicals (about 9%), fine chemicals and ferrous metallurgy (10%), pharmaceutical products (more than 12%), products from rubber and plastics (about 13%), glass (second place after Germany - 14%) (22, 265).

In terms of agricultural exports, France lags only behind the United States. More than 1/3 of manufactured products are sold on foreign markets. Agricultural exports are dominated by "mass" products - wheat, barley, corn, and dairy products. The share of highly processed products (confectionery, meat products, chocolate, canned food) is lower than in other leading countries. The country remains the world's number one exporter of processed foods (10.3%), ahead of the Netherlands (8.9%) and the US (7.9%). At the same time, France buys large volumes of agricultural products: rapeseed, sunflower, pork, lamb, horse meat, tropical fruits, etc. (22, 266)

France conducts research in a wide range of areas. In a number of them, it occupies leading positions: nuclear power engineering, aviation technology, communications equipment, and some types of industrial electronics. In others, it lags far behind: computer science, electronics, biotechnology. At present, the electronics, aerospace, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries account for more than 60% of industrial R&D spending. At the same time, in such industries as general engineering, metalworking, the food industry, and others, these costs are insignificant. In mechanical engineering, the share of R&D costs is much lower than in other leading industries (22, 270).

The transition to an energy-saving type of production, high dependence on imported fuel and energy resources caused a reorientation in the energy strategy of France. The main attention began to be paid to the development of nuclear energy, as well as alternative energy sources. The development of nuclear energy has made it possible to raise the degree of self-sufficiency of France in energy. As new NPPs are commissioned and liquid fuel thermal power plants are decommissioned, oil imports are declining (22, 271).

The group of goods with a relatively low level of competitiveness includes products of the paper, furniture, textile and leather and footwear industries, household electrical appliances and some consumer and industrial electronics, machine tools, metallurgical and forging equipment (22, 277).

The export specialization of France is significantly inferior to other large countries. So, in general engineering, only one production belongs to a high level of specialization (jet engines) and a number to a moderate one (pumps, steam engines, nuclear reactors, rotary electric power plants, refrigerators, heating equipment, agricultural machinery). At the same time, French goods are seriously inferior to their main competitors (Japan, USA, Germany, Italy and Great Britain) in terms of non-price factors, the role of which has increased significantly in recent years. This primarily concerns the quality of the product and its safety, timely delivery and after-sales service, the flexibility of merchandise exports, costs, advertising, and the extent to which changes in market needs are studied (22, 278).

In the last decade, the import component has significantly increased in the country's economy (23.5% of GDP), which is associated with the strengthening of the international division of labor and the change in the competitiveness of French goods. The highest share of imports is in the production of engineering and chemical industry products (40 - 60%). This is largely due to the peculiarities of the development of the country's scientific and technical potential and the introduction of scientific achievements into production. France lags behind its competitors in terms of the share of R&D in GDP (3.3% in 1991, while the FRG had 3.6%). A characteristic feature of research activity is its military orientation. The share of funds allocated for military research reaches 19% of all R&D expenditures, and in the FRG it is about 5% (22, 285).

In recent years, there have been significant changes in the mechanism of state regulation of the country's foreign trade, and, above all, exports. The regulation is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of French goods, is comprehensive and affects, in addition to the sphere of sale of goods, the stage of export production. The methods and means of state intervention, which are distinguished by selectivity and purposefulness, as well as the increasing interconnection of its main levers in the credit, financial and administrative areas, have been significantly expanded (23.5).