GERMANY

摘要

2008 GDP growth forecasts have jumped following a buoyant performance in Q1, which saw the economy expand at its fastest pace since Q21996. The surprisingly strong 1.5% q-o-q increase was bolstered by temporary factors, namely a mild winter and build-up of inventories. The unseasonably warm weather supported a surge in construction of 4.5% (q-o-q), which, together with strong gains in machinery and equipment investment (up by 4.0%), contributed significantly to the upbeat GDP figure.