::2010, German exports increased 18.5%>>

Go Finance Reporting Frankfurt - German Statistics Office Destatis Panzer State yesterday declared exports during 2010 increased by 18.5 percent or worth 951.9 billion euros ($ 1, 3 trillion, Rp11.700 trillion). The export value of that makes a trade surplus of 154 billion euros or 11.2 percent increase over the previous year.

According to Destatis, the German who is now the second largest exporter after China recorded imports amounted to 797 billion euros, up 20 percent compared to 2009. Germany's largest export partners benefit from the euro zone to rise 12.7 percent while imports rose 16.7 percent.

"Overall, German exports to EU countries rose 14 percent but imports also rose 17.5 percent," said Destatis.

Despite overall strong performance of German exports, the country with Europe's biggest economy is still distressed debt crisis in the region.

As we all know, Europe is now trying to rise due to the debt crisis that has caused the economy in a number of countries still affected by the crisis. Berlin government estimates, the German economy predicted to grow 2.3 percent year over budget deficit reduced to three percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Especially in December, German exports grew 0.5 percent on a monthly basis, while imports fell 2.3 percent.

"When the recovery, we stand on two legs, trade and domestic demand," said Economy Minister German Rainer Bruederle.

He believes, is currently his country's economy is running at full capacity. "Germany is now in the shadow of China, but both are still the most important partners in trade in addition to the United States (U.S.) and Eastern Europe," said Carsten Brzeski Senior Economist ING yesterday.

Earlier the German government reported that industrial activity throughout the country last December suffered the worst decline in two decades. In December 2010 the German industrial output contracted 24.1 percent due to weaker construction sector. The weakening of German industrial activity was also evident from data on machinery orders last month dropped 3.4 percent compared to the previous month. In fact, in November 2010, German industrial orders rose 5.2 percent chance.

Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japan's consumer index for the first time in seven months in January, rose in the middle of the labor market recovery. Consumer sentiment index rose to 41.1 last month from 40.1 earlier in December 2010. "However, despite the increase in the figure is still below 50, which indicates consumers more pessimistic than optimistic," Japan's Cabinet Office said yesterday.

Japanese government to link these results with the improved conditions of employment, thus encouraging increased revenues so that more consumers are buying durable goods.

Last December, Japan's unemployment rate fell to 4.9 percent or 0.2 points better than the previous month. Japanese Cabinet Office also said that consumer confidence in January and make an equally first revision in seven months. Consumer sentiment index released yesterday showed that export expansion and strong corporate earnings. (GoFinance)