Vienna, Oct 6 (IANS): Austrian exports gained momentum in July, particularly to countries outside the European Union, Statistics Austria said Friday.
Exports for the month increased by 5 percent to 10.55 billion euros ($13.74 billion), though the increase over the first seven months of 2012 was more modest at 1.9 percent or 76.7 billion euros, reported Xinhua.
Trade with European nations stalled somewhat due to the ongoing economic crisis, with exports to EU countries falling 1.3 percent year-on-year in July.
Federal Minister for Economy, Family and Youth Reinhold Mitterlehner said the export figures were confirmation of Austria's need to penetrate markets outside of Europe, the APA reported.
"We want to reduce the heavy dependence on Europe gradually," he said.
"This way we spread our risk better when it comes to individual regions in economic downturns," he added.