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Foreign investment floods into Germany

AFP/The Local
AFP/The Local - [email protected]
Foreign investment floods into Germany
Photo: DPA

UPDATE: Foreign investment into Germany increased by almost 400 percent last year, rising to €23.4 billion, a UN report revealed on Tuesday. It comes amid rising consumer and investor confidence.

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In 2012 foreign direct investment stood at just €6.5 billion.

But 2013's rise was helped by major deals including the purchase of Kabel Deutschland by Vodafone for €5.6 billion.

Germany also rose up the global rankings of the world’s most attractive foreign investment locations to 14th from 40th the year before. 

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The top spots in the global rankings were held by the USA, China and Russia.

Meanwhile, a consumer confidence index released on Wednesday morning showed Germans are feeling financially better off.

The index, which stood at 7.7 points in January, is expected to rise to 8.2 points in February.

"German consumer sentiment has started the new year full of zest," market research company GfK said in a statement. "Expectations with regard to both the economy and to income, as well as the willingness to spend, are rising sharply."

The statement added: "Consumers believe the economy is on the up, as indicated by the fifth consecutive monthly increase in economic expectations.

"Income expectations have also risen as a result to the highest level in 13 years.

"And the propensity to spend has topped the seven-high year recorded last month."

The reading is based on responses from about 2,000 households regarding their expectations about pay and the economy as a whole in the coming months, as well as their willingness to spend money.

Sentiment in Europe's top economy is currently very positive.

Last week, the ZEW investor confidence index remained close to its highest level in more than seven years and the Ifo business climate index climbed to its highest level in nearly three years.

READ MORE: Record German exports exceed €99 billion

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