Germany Sees Economy Recovering Faster Than Expected in 2020

Germany Sees Economy Recovering Faster Than Expected in 2020
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Germany Sees Economy Recovering Faster Than Expected in 2020

Germany Sees Economy Recovering Faster Than Expected in 2020

Germany expects the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to be less severe this year than originally feared, but sluggish foreign demand is likely to weaken the rebound in Europe's largest economy next year.

Presenting the government's updated forecasts on Tuesday, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said a strong response from the state was helping fuel a quicker than expected recovery from the coronavirus shock.

"The recession in the first half of the year turned out to be less severe than we had feared," Altmaier told reporters, adding that the worst was over for the economy.

"Overall, we can say that at least for now, we are dealing with a V-shaped development," Altmaier said. He added that he did not expect authorities to impose another round of lockdown measures as in March and April.

Confirming an earlier Reuters report, Altmaier said Berlin had revised upwards its 2020 forecast to a decline of 5.8% from a previous estimate of -6.3%.

That would still represent the biggest economic slump since World War Two. The German economy contracted by 5.7% in 2009 as the global financial crisis unfolded.

For 2021, the government revised downward its growth forecast to an expansion of 4.4% from its previous estimate of 5.2%. This means the economy will not reach its pre-pandemic size before early 2022, Altmaier said.

The government expects exports to tumble by 12.1% this year before jumping by 8.8% in 2021. Private consumption is seen falling by 6.9% this year and then rising by 4.7% in 2021.

SUSPENDING DEBT LIMITS

The revised forecasts will form the basis of tax revenue estimates, which the finance ministry is expected to update next week. This will be followed by Finance Minister Olaf Scholz's proposal for the federal government's budget in 2021.

Scholz has already said he will ask parliament to suspend constitutionally enshrined debt limits next year so that the government can plan its 2021 budget with new debt as it sees necessary.

Germany's Bundestag lower house of parliament suspended the debt brake in March and June to allow the government to borrow an additional 217.8 billion euros this year.

The government has launched an unprecedented array of rescue and stimulus measures since March to shield companies and consumers from the initial impact of the pandemic and help them recover as quickly as possible.

The economy contracted by a record 9.7% in the second quarter as consumer spending, company investment, and exports all collapsed.

Germany fared better than some other eurozone economies, however. The French economy contracted by 13.8% quarter-on-quarter in the April-June period and Italy's shrank by 12.8%.

The German central bank expects household spending to drive a strong recovery in the third quarter, helped by stimulus measures including a temporary cut in value-added tax. The Ifo economic institute predicts the economy will rebound with a quarterly growth rate of some 7% in July-September.



Saudi Arabia Unveils Pavilion at International Defense Exhibition and Conference in UAE

The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Unveils Pavilion at International Defense Exhibition and Conference in UAE

The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)

The activities of the Saudi pavilion, organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), kicked off on Monday at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference "IDEX 2025" in Abu Dhabi. This event is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

Governor of GAMI Eng. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Ohali participated in the launch, in the presence of Lt.-Gen. Mohammad Bin Abdulrahman bin Hamed Al-Gharibi, Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Angari, Saudi ambassador to the UAE, and a number of officials, international investors and decision-makers in the sector.

Al-Ohali emphasized the significance of the Kingdom's participation in IDEX 2025 as a leading global platform for showcasing the latest military technologies.

He underscored the importance of establishing international partnerships that enhance the Kingdom's defense and security capabilities.

The Saudi pavilion serves as a strategic window that reaffirms the Kingdom's commitment to developing its defense sector and strengthening national competencies, contributing to the ambitious goal of localizing over 50% of military spending by 2030, he added.

During the exhibition, GAMI signed a cooperation agreement in the field of government quality assurance with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in South Korea.

The agreement aims to boost the assurance and reliability of defense products and services carried out under purchasing and acquisition operations, in accordance with the local laws and regulations of both sides.

The agreement reflects the mutual desire of both parties to deepen joint cooperation in the field of defense industry and technology, in a way that achieves the national interests of both countries. The two parties also intend to expand the scope of cooperation by exchanging experiences and best practices in the field of government quality assurance for defense products and services.

The Saudi pavilion is showcasing the latest technologies and advanced systems, underscoring the significant progress the Kingdom has made in localizing military industries, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

It is presenting the latest locally developed defense technologies across military, defense, and security industries. It features a variety of military products aimed at highlighting the capabilities of the defense and military sectors. Additionally, it presents investors with a conducive investment environment and the promising opportunities available in the sector.

In addition to GAMI and the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), the pavilion includes the World Defense Show (WDS), along with several national companies operating in the military industries sector. The companies include the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), the National Company for Mechanical Systems (NCMS), the Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC), the Saudi Chemical Company Holding (SCCH), AlKorayef Group, Life Shield Military Industries (LIFE SHIELD), Emaan International, QUDRA Industrial Company, and the Saudi Company for Aircraft Maintenance and Preparation (GDC).