Electronic Exports
Ever since the birth of information technology, Denmark has been technologically acclaimed in the datalogical disciplines. The world's first computers stood at what is today the Technical University of Denmark. Danish strengths within the IT arena have always been in the areas of design, integration and communication. In addition, Denmark has a strong programming tradition, for both C++ and Turbo Pascal were developed by Danes. However, such expertise is quickly diminishing with the rise of other software development havens, such as Silicon Valley. Another area in which Denmark has made a strong mark is financial management systems, developing three of the leading systems: Concorde, Navision, and PPU Maconomy. (Copenhagen Capacity: Information Technology)

More than 20% of the turnover within the IT/telecom/electronics industry is exported. As shown in the table below, IT and electronic products accounted for 85% of the exports. This is a considerable amount compared to the textile and clothing industries, whose exports amounted to DKK 10.7bn, and the furniture industry to DKK 10.3bn.

 Of the total service exports, Denmark exports approximately 26% in the services of communications, computers and information. This percentage decreased from 31.8% in 1980. Conversely, the country imports in this same category increased .6% from 22.9% in 1980 to 23.5% in 1995. Comparatively, the U.S. percentage of total service exports decreased in from 44.6% in 1980 to 40.6% in 1995; however, its imports in the same category decreased from 35% to 31.2% during the same time period. With regard to high technology exports, Denmark exports nearly $7 billion per year. (World Development Indicators, 1997)

One particular area of expertise the Danes claim is the relative widespread use of electronic data interchange (EDI) within the business community. That electronic communication has become commonplace in Danish business, both in small firms and large companies, appears from a survey conducted by the Confederation of Danish Industry and the Ministry of Research and Information Technology in 1996. Over half of all Danish firms with more than 5 employees exchange data with other firms electronically. One third of the very small firms (5-10) employees use electronic data exchange. The banks are the most important exchange partners for firms of all sizes.  As shown in figure 1, large companies exchange data electronically to a greater extent than small firms. Nevertheless, small firms do not lag far behind.

The goal of Denmark's EDI action plan is to provide the conditions needed if companies, the public sector, and the consumer are to reap the gains enabled by electronic communications. Most Danish companies today possess a level of IT sufficient to permit them to participate in EDI. However, presently, the dissemination of EDIFACT-based electronic communications in Denmark is concentrated in such individual sectors as health and everyday commodities and transport. That is why the government and central commercial associations have placed themselves at the forefront of an action plan intended to ensure that, before the end of 1998, EDIFACT-based communications are possible in all significant areas of all sectors. Such sectors include the financial sector and the public sector's administrative communications with companies. Further, no later than 1998, the EDIFACT standard must be established in all industries and sectors, for all commercial documents of significance, such as orders, invoices, payment messages, transport notes and registration of real property. The Danish EDI Council and the represented commercial associations within each industry will draft such standards. Thus, it is the goal of the Danish government to expand the already widespread use of EDIFACT-based communications in all relevant areas, and to ensure that it will be run-in and effectively widespread in Danish society by the year 2000. (Electronic Commerce in Denmark)

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