MittelstandsWiki

As was reported by the German Federal Statistical Office the German consumer price index will probably increase to 3.0% in November 2007 as compared to November last year. This is the biggest increase since February 1994. Last month the inflation rate had been just 2.4%. These figures are provisional for the time being. +++

The EU´s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China has published its annual business climate index in co-operation with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. This index is based on the interviewing of more than 200 European companies operating in China. More than 80% are active in China in order to gain market entry and to win customers there. 69% of European companies are planning to increase their investments in China over the next two years. These are also ready to invest in centres of research and development. +++

In 2007 Germans increasingly used the internet when planning their trips. One quarter (24%) booked at least one product online. In this context, the focus is not so much on package trips but on individual parts of travels. Thus, 12% of Germans bought a flight ticket online in 2007, 11% booked a hotel room and 6% bought a train ticket online. +++

According to the Federal Statistical Office, in October 2007 the import price index was 2.3 percent higher than in October of the previous year. The increase is, however, mainly a consequence of the so-called basic effect. Compared to September 2007 the import price index increased by 0.7% in October. The export price index, on the other hand, was up by 1.3% in October as compared to the same month last year and 0.1% higher than in September this year. +++