Germany exported a record amount of goods for a second month running in February to underline the global competitiveness of the country's corporate sector.
In seasonally adjusted terms, exports rose by 4.6 per cent to €72.9 billion, Federal Statistics Office data showed today. Imports rose by 4.8 per cent to €60.4 billion, also the second consecutive record amount.
The figures widened Germany's trade surplus with the rest of the world to €12.5 billion, up from €12.1 billion in January. Economists had forecast a surplus of €12.6 billion.
Corporate sentiment is riding high in Germany, with the Ifo economic research institute's monthly gauge of business confidence hitting a 15-year high in March.
Year-on-year, exports rose by 17.7 per cent in unadjusted terms, the biggest increase since the start of 2001.
Imports rose by 24.0 per cent compared with February 2005, the biggest increase since November 2000, the office said.
A breakdown of the data showed German trade with countries outside the European Union was particularly brisk in February.
Exports to non-EU countries rose by 25.1 per cent on the year with imports shooting up by 42.1 per cent. Germany has been the world's biggest exporter of goods for the past three years, which has helped to offset a chronic weakness in domestic demand.
Economists expect foreign demand to fuel growth again this year, although hopes are high that increased investment and better consumer spending may lend added support this time.