International aerospace exhibition reaches new record heights 2. June 2008 by Thomas Jannot According to the organizers of the ILA international aerospace exhibition 2008 in Berlin which ended yesterday this year’s show was an immense crowd puller. Attendance reached about 250.000 people which is virtually the same record figure reached already two years ago. There were about 120.000 trade visitors – about 5000 more than in 2006 – …
Inflation rate in EU at 3.6% in May 2. June 2008 by Thomas Jannot According to estimates by the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), the annual inflation rate in the Eurozone reached 3.6% in May this year. Thus, inflation in Europe once more accelerated given that in April the grow rate had been 3.3% (revised). The estimates for May are based on data on prices already provided by some member …
Two thirds of all online-shoppers attach importance to seals of quality 31. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot Many consumers are sceptical when it comes to shopping on the internet. In contrast to shopping in the real world purchasers have difficulties in judging whether they can trust sellers. Therefore, it is not surprising that a survey by the GfK association for research of consumer habits revealed that to 63.3% of internet buyers a …
Most high-tech start-ups in Munich 31. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot The number of high-tech companies set up in 2007 was higher than in previous years. Their number increased by 4% as compared to the year 2006 and reached a total of 19,200. The reason for this is probably a particularly good economic development in the high-tech sector since in almost all other lines of industry …
Wholesale trade turnover up by 9.3% in April 30. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot Turnover generated by the German wholesale trade business grew significantly in April this year. It increased by 15.7% and 9.3% in nominal and real figures respectively as compared to April last year. In comparison with March 2008 it increased by 1.3% and 0.2% respectively after adjustments for calendar and season. These are the preliminary findings …
Job advertisements in print regain in importance 30. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot Employers currently find one in four new employees through newspaper job advertisements. This is the surprising finding of a survey carried out by the Institute for Labour Market and Profession Research (IAB). In the year 2004 when the demand for new staff was lacking only 20% of vacancies were filled through newspaper job ads.
Support for engineers facilitates their professional re-entry 29. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot In order to fight a lack of specialists in the field of mechanical engineering, electrical and information technology, the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) supports measures to improve the further training for engineers which due to family obligations did not work for a longer period of time. The new project called “return2job” will …
Import prices increased by 5.7% 29. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot In April 2008 import prices were 5.7% higher than in April last year. This was the same annual increase as in March. In comparison with March 2008 the prices for imports increased by 0.9%. Prices grew most for energy carriers (+36.1%) over the last year. Export prices were up by 2.2% in April as compared …
Consumer prices up by 3 percent in May 29. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot The sharp rise in consumer prices continued in May. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the consumer price index for Germany was up by 3.0% in May 2008 as compared to May last year. In April this year, the annual increase had been at 2.4%. In comparison with April 2008 consumer prices rose by 0.6%. …
From autumn onwards there will be 10 new and modernized kinds of professional training in Germany 27. May 2008 by Thomas Jannot At the beginning of the educational year 2008 seven new vocational training courses will be introduced and three modernized from August 1st. Thus, the Federal Institute for Vocational Training (BIBB) continues its modernization of the vocational dual system in Germany. Over the past twelve months the BIBB has introduced 79 new professions and modernized 215.