Who’s Leading the High-Tech Export Race in Europe?
Picture this: a tech‑heavy Europe where countries are vying for the crown of high‑tech exports. These are the kind of products that cost a lot of research and a hefty investment in materials – think aerospace parts, cutting‑edge computers, pharmaceutical breakthroughs, scientific instruments, and electric machinery. The big question is: which European nation has hit the jackpot?
Albania – The Unexpected Trailblazer
Albania’s skyrocketing growth has turned it into the star of the show. Over ten years, high‑tech exports surged at an average annual rate of a staggering 155.2% – a jump from just $3,968,947 in 2006 to a cool $8,424,644 by 2016.
- Population: about 2.9 million.
- Key milestones: EU candidate status (June 2014), WTO membership (2000), NATO (2009).
- Exports in 2016: $2 billion, with 6.2% destined for the U.S.
- Primary U.S. exports: medicinal herbs, ferro‑alloys, and mineral fuel & oil.
- EU remains the sweetheart, absorbing 80% of Albanian exports.
- Top EU partners: Greece, Turkey, Germany, and Italy.
Projections? The future looks bright for information & communication tech, healthcare, and energy & power technology. And that’s not all – in 2017, the British Embassy in Tirana teamed up with the British Council Albania to launch a program aimed at boosting tech start‑ups and opening doors for business with the UK.
Azerbaijan – Close Second in the Race
Azerbaijan sits just a smidgen behind, boasting a 41.1% average annual growth rate. From $9,073,107 in 2006 to $9,132,464 in 2016, it’s been steady progress for this strategic land that straddles Southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe.
- Exports in 2016: 49.9% went to Europe, 46.4% to Asia.
- Exports + services make up 45.9% of Azerbaijan’s total economic output.
- The Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences steers the nation’s science and tech policies.
Other Powerhouses
Joining Albania and Azerbaijan in the top‑five high‑tech export growth list are Montenegro, Armenia, and Romania. These countries are all sharpening their tech gears and heading towards rapid expansion.
Want the full numbers and a visual map of the data? You can dive deeper in the official reports.
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