On average imported goods were 7.9% more expensive in May 2008 than in May last year. This increase is the highest since November 2000, according to the Federal Statistical Office. One the previous month, April, the import price index increased by 2.4% which is a month-to-month increase not registered since September 1990 (+2.5%). more…

In the year 2007 only 860.000 businesses were set up which is the smallest number in seven years. As compared to 2006 there were 230.000 less start-ups. In the new federal lander the decrease amounted to -35 % and to -17 % in the old lander. These figures are based on the Gründungsmonitor 2008 survey the findings of which were presented on Tuesday in Berlin. more…

To a large majority of German companies a web presence has become a matter of course. 78% of these have their own internet site on which they at least present themselves and provide contact details. Many businesses, however, also offer goods and services online, provide online assistance or even look online for new staff. more…

Most internet buyers do not buy expensive products. Three quarters of online shoppers did not spend more than 100 Euros during their most recent purchase. Nevertheless, these bargain hunters look for brand names. This is the finding of a study called “Kommunikationskosten im Sales und After-Sales von E-Shops” which was commissioned by the software manufacturer novomind and the expert magazine “Der Versandhausberater”. more…

By international comparison, the best institutional conditions for economic growth are to be found in Australia. 15 years ago Australia was still in the eight position in this ranking list. Now it ranks ahead of the United States and the Netherlands. Germany currently comes 11th in this table of 24 countries while it ranked seventh in the past. This ranking is based upon the current institution index for OECD countries compiled by the ifo Institute. more…

According to BITKOM, the German Association for Information Management, Telecommunications and New Media, foreign trade in communications and information technology was less intensive in the first quarter of 2008. The volume of exports decreased by 11.5% to 10.1 billion Euros as compared to the first quarter in 2007. At the same time imports shrank by 5.1% to 12.8 billion Euros. more…

To companies wishing to apply for international patents the new “Inpafamdb” (International Patent Family Database) provided by the FIZ in Karlsruhe is a very useful tool making business easier. The database gives a quick and comprehensive overview of the state of the art and precious information on the activities of market participants on the global market. more…

About 5.3 million people worked in the German processing industry as of the end of April 2008 which is an increase by almost 150.000 people or 2.9% as compared to April last year. In the same period the number of hours worked increased even more significantly by 15.4% to 752 million hours. In April 2008, however, there were three working days less than in April 2007. more…

According to the Association of German Engineers (VDI) the number of unemployed engineers once more fell in May 2008. Currently there are only 22.000 unemployed engineers which corresponds to a decrease by 3.5% as compared to April this year. “We have virtually achieved full employment on the labour market for engineers“, is the comment by VDI chairman Dr. Willi Fuchs on this positive development. The other side of the coin: the lack of engineers is still big with the number of vacancies amounting to 95,700. more…

Almost unnoticed Dresden has developed into Germany’s most important high-tech centre. In this city 8.7% of all employees work in the high-tech sector. This includes people working in the manufacture of IT devices, consumer electronics and medical engineering as well as researchers and software developers. The second and third most important high-tech regions are Greater Munich (8.5%) and the region of Nuremberg/Erlangen (7.6%). more…