Equipment sales up

摘要

Worldwide sales of heavy construction equipment are set for a healthy increase up to 2001, according to the latest report from US-based business consultancy Freedonia Group. Growth is predicted to increase 4% per year to just under $87bil. in 2001. This steady increase will be driven by continued economic expansion in Asia and South America as well as improving conditions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Despite the current financial and economic problems, Asia, excluding Japan, will experience the fastest growth in demand for heavy construction equipment. Growth is forecast due to increasing low-cost housing development, infrastructure development, and the development of new mines. These first two end-users are seen as vital to the future growth ofmany developing and urbanising economies and con- stitute relativley stable and predictable environments, since government tax bases are not as affected by economic conditions as are other activities like private building and small-scale mining.