Stimulus packages

Global government stimulus programmes are expected to win €15bn (£12.7bn) worth of orders for

between 2010 and 2012, with 40 per cent of the revenue to come from green technologies.

In an attempt to overcome the economic downturn, global stimulus packages of around €2 trillion have been announced. Around one third of this total (€700bn) has been put aside for investment in infrastructure projects.

Peter Löscher, Siemens's president and chief executive, said: ‘With their programs, governments worldwide are sending the right signal. Against the backdrop of the worst global economic crisis in decades, these government measures are at least partially cushioning, in some cases, sharp declines in private-sector demand. They should also have a stabilising effect on our business.

‘In addition, the government programs will safeguard jobs worldwide. The large portion of the investments in environmental technologies will probably create new green jobs as well,’ he added.

According to Siemens, the total volume of planned infrastructure expenditures relevant to the company amounts to approximately €150bn in the next three fiscal years, generating orders of €15bn.

Many of the contracts are expected to come from the US, with China contributing a large share of around €25bn, followed by Germany with a share of €5bn.

Löscher said: ‘The various governments are strongly focused on sustainable investments. Siemens can help other countries reach their climate protection targets, particularly in close partnership with local communities.’

In 2008, Siemens’s environmental technologies generated revenue of about €19bn. The company said that it intends to increase this figure to €25bn a year by 2011.