The German Chambers of Commerce (DIHK) on Wednesday considerably lifted its growth outlook for this year, as lower oil prices and a weaker euro are expected to boost Europe's powerhouse despite the Ukraine crisis and uncertainty about Greece's future in the euro.
The DIHK said the German economy will expand more strongly this year than previously expected. It raised its growth forecast for this year to 1.3% of GDP from 0.8% forecast previously.
Still, that remains less optimistic than the official prediction from the government, which expects the economy to accelerate by 1.5% this year - unchanged from the past year.