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Germany: Top Exporter

DW staff (als) December 5, 2007

Germany looks set to remain the leader as the top goods exporter in the world. The Economics Ministry in Berlin made the announcement in response to the release of preliminary figures by the World Trade Organization.

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Hamburg is a primary harbor for exporting goods by sea
Hamburg is a primary harbor for exporting goods by seaImage: AP

"The preliminary trade figures for this year underline the global

competitiveness of the German economy," Bernd Pfaffenbach, a state

secretary in the ministry, told DPA news service.

He said that Germany's success was based on high quality products and technological innovation.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) figures, which were released in Geneva, showed a 19-percent increase in German exports to 661 euros ($969 billion) during the first nine months of this year.

Push for greater liberalization

Woman's face behind skin and hair care products
Germany exports everything from cars to cremes and hair care productsImage: dpa

Last year, exports contributed 39 percent to Germany's gross domestic product, DPA reported. The Economics Ministry said that figure appeared likely to rise slightly this year.

Pfaffenbach said the figures demonstrated the need for a successful conclusion to the WTO's Doha Round of trade talks.

"Further liberalization of world trade would have a lasting positive effect on global trade and would give added impulse to growth and employment particularly in export-oriented Germany," he said.