Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy - the fifth largest in the world in PPP terms - showed considerable improvement in 2006 with 2.2% growth. After a long period of stagnation with an average growth rate of 0.7% between 2001-05 and chronically high unemployment, stronger growth has led to a considerable fall in unemployment to about 7% at the end of 2006. Among the most important reasons for Germany's high unemployment during the past decade were macroeconomic stagnation, the declining level of investment in plant and equipment, company restructuring, flat domestic consumption, structural rigidities in the labor market, lack of competition in the service sector, and high interest rates. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term process, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $80 billion. The former government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER launched a comprehensive set of reforms of labor market and welfare-related institutions. The current government of Chancellor Angela MERKEL has initiated other reform measures, such as a gradual increase in the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 and measures to increase female participation in the labor market. Germany's aging population, combined with high chronic unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions, but higher government revenues from the cyclical upturn in 2006 reduced Germany's budget deficit to within the EU's 3% debt limit. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could help Germany meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization. More finance information from Germany:

American Chamber The American Chamber of Commerce in Germany is a private organization for the promotion of trade and investment between Germany and the United States. Bafa.de The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) is a licensing authority working in close cooperation with other federal agencies involved in the German export control system. Bundesbank.de - German Central Bank The German Central Bank makes available online it’s statistical data, reports and information. The site provides a direct link to the European Central Bank's website, from where the websites of all the EU central banks can be accessed. CeBIT "CeBIT - the biggest trade show for the ICT sector worldwide - is universally regarded as the leading showcase for the global market. In Hannover you'll gain an insight into the future digital age. As the figures demonstrate, the opportunities are international: some 6,153 exhibitors from 77 countries and 480,000 visitors from all over the world (379,000 of them professionals) attended CeBIT 2007. That's without counting the international media." Commercialagents.de the National Federation of German Trade Intermediaries and Distributors(CDH) helps finding commercial representatives, manufacturer's agents and sales agents to enter the German market. Destatis.de Access to data and information of the German Federal Statistical Office. Deutsche Boerse Deutsche Boerse Group is market-place organizer and transaction service provider for the trading in shares and other securities. With advanced technology it affords companies and investors access to global capital markets. Deutsche Messe AG - Germany "Achieving average annual revenues of EUR 250 million, around 800 employees, 70 foreign representatives and an exhibition center with a superb infrastructure totaling 1 million square meters of space, Deutsche Messe - based in Hannover, Germany - is the world's foremost trade fair company." e-trade-center.com Internet portal for the search of business contacts in Germany Expand-germany.com US-Exporters can use the broad services of German import trading companies for marketing, selling and distributing their products on the German market and within the EU. German Business Portal Business Information When exporting to Germany, various aspects have to be considered. In this category, you will find information about taxes and duties, norms, legal requirements and marketing. Germany is one of the top business locations in Europe. Its companies and infrastructure enjoy international reputation in various lines of business. more about Industrial Sectors and Economic Data... German Office for Foreign Trade (bfai) the German Office for Foreign Trade (bfai) primarily informs German companies about foreign markets. In addition, bfai assists foreign companies in establishing business relations with German business partners,Business requests from abroad are published daily in their database “Geschäftswünsche”. German Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA The Federation of German Wholesale and Foreign Trade(BGA) offers services in marketing and financing for importers and exporters. Germanys-exportdatabase.com Manufacturers' addresses for products "made in Germany" provided in cooperation with the Federation of German Industries (BDI) Invest-in-germany.de "Entrepreneurs from around the world are always welcome in Germany, a country that offers the ideal conditions for successful business transactions. Investors profit from Germany's central location in the heart of Europe, an excellent infrastructure, the country's position as leading logistics location in Europe, a qualified workforce, an excellent research landscape, and finally the large European market." Tips for business professionals visiting Germany Pecking order: Who shakes whose hand? Greetings: What should I say? Addressing someone: Should I use "Du" or "Sie"? Gift Giving German Expressions and Sayings Small Talk Business Attire Business Dinners (Chapter Excerpt - complete article) Telephoning in Germany Presenting in Germany E-mail Etiquette Distance Zones What does a German mean when he says…? vdma-e-market.com the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) provides links to the products of leading German machinery and equipment manufacturers.

General Economic Links:

Chase.com With many branches across the U.S., Chase provides many personal and business banking services DealBook The New York Times online daily digest of finance news and analysis is constantly updated during the market day. Federal Trade Commission – Credit The credit section of the FTC’s website has lots of great consumer information and articles Financial Times This venerable international business newspaper reports extensively on business and stock markets. Financial-portal.com Portal presents comprehensive financial resources, articles, news, stats, indexes, financial institutions etc: - articles on financial topics - financial news - latest currency charts - latest gold, silver, platinum and other precious metal prices - current financial indexes and dynamic graphs - universal currency converters (all major currencies) - stock, commodity and other major exchanges Finweb.com - the independent financial portal "Financial security. Everyone wants it; few have it. Many do not realize that true financial security requires strength in every area of one’s financial affairs. It requires a systematic approach, a strategic plan implemented over time, in order to obtain it. But it can be obtained. With the proper educational training and discipline, financial stability and security is within anyone’s grasp. That’s why we’re here: to provide you with a solid foundation of valuable financial knowledge from which to proceed..." Fitch Ratings Provides independent global credit rating information for the world’s credit markets Forbes.com Extensive coverage of business and financial news, Forbes is one of the premier sites covering the world of business. Google Finance Google Finance provides an unclutered interface to finance news, market summary with graphs, stock quotes, top movers and other indicators. Also search companies by stock code. Kiplinger Personal finance site that offers calculators, business news, quotes and much more personal finance information MarketWatch This Dow Jones operated site provides personal finance news, advice and stock market data and analysis MSN Money The MSN (Microsoft Network) provides a finance portal including latest finance news, market updates and resources. United States Department of the Treasury The federal agency concerned with the financial and economic growth of the United States. Yahoo Finance The Yahoo search engine provides a finance portal with breaking news, market summaries and editor articles.