China, which is now the world's largest market for heavy equipment, is slumping domestically but its machinery exports are expected to see 20% gains over 2011. Speaking at Bauma China, a large exhibition held on Nov. 27-30 in Shanghai, officials with China's Association of the Industry of Construction Machines said they were optimistic the country's domestic market would start to recover next year.
In 2012, the Chinese equipment market faced a decline in demand, a fall in sales and an increase in exports, explained Su Zimeng, Association of the Industry of Construction Machines (CCMA) general secretary. However, on the horizon there are signs of stabilization. For example, CCMA points out that international demand for Chinese machines is still growing, but due to global economic instability, protectionism is on the rise.