In the first three months of 2011, several German companies were looking for trade partners in the region. Two of them are scanning Macedonia as a potential market for investments, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce - its Skopje office - says Monday.

German export towards eastern Europe last year stood at record levels and is already marking a growth for almost a quarter. In 2010, goods in total amount of 146 billion euros were exported, which is a 23% increase of 27 billion euros.

"The region of eastern Europe can be compared with international economic powers - USA (65 billion euros), China (53 billion), Japan (13 billion), Brazil (10,5 billion) and India (9,3 billion), the Association says.

Thus far, 2008 was the best year for German exporters towards eastern Europe, when goods in amount of 166 billion euros were exported. These figures are expected to be achieved once again by 2012.

According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, the exportation of German firms compared to crisis-hit 2009 increased by a total of 19,5% and stood at 960 billion euros. Import rose by 21% and stood at 806 billion euros. 2010 saw an increase in export towards Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Azerbaijan and decrease of export towards Kazakhstan, Serbia and Croatia.

"It is notable that German trade with eastern European countries is almost the same. Export of 146,6 billion euros is almost even with import from the region, which is 140,6 billion euros. Leading German goods for export are traditionally machines and equipment, vehicles and their components, chemical products, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce says.

The Association expects economic growth in eastern Europe and further increase of exportation in 2011.