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A new strategy against fiscal fraud has been implemented by the Council of the European Union. The new agenda proposed by the EU Commission which is called “Fiscalis 2013” is to improve the co-operation between fiscal authorities and support them in monitoring that the tax rules are more observed by companies. Fiscalis 2013 will also introduce the electronic data exchange between tax authorities. +++

According to provisional figures by the Federal Statistical Office, there were about 40.26 million gainfully employed people in Germany in October 2007. This is an increase of 688.000 or 1.7% as compared to October 2006. Compared to September this year the number of gainfully employed people rose by 207.000 or +0.5%. +++

According to provisional figures provided by the Federal Statistical Office, the turnover generated by whole sale traders in Germany was 4.5% and 1.8% higher in nominal and real terms respectively in October 2007 as compared to October last year. Compared to September this year, turnover increased by 1.4% and 0.6% respectively. +++

Judging by what was announced by the “Innovation Indicator 2007″ published by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), Germany is close to the top of the list of most innovative countries. According to the study, Germany is in 8th position among 17 selected European and non-European countries. Even though last year Germany came 7th, the gap to the respective most innovative countries (i.e. the USA in 2006 and Sweden in 2007) could be slightly reduced. +++

More and more German companies make use of the possibility to deal online with public authorities. As was communicated by the Federal Statistical Office, about 49% of companies with internet access resorted to online services provided by public authorities. This is an increase of 18 percent as compared to the previous year. Most of the time it is blanks which are downloaded (81%) and information which is collected (73%). +++