Cyclical Upturn through Robust Domestic Demand and Fast Recovery of Exports
The cyclical upswing is gaining momentum. Given the strong growth of disposable income, consumer mood is favourable. Recovering exports generate higher production volumes and lively investment activities. Since the mid 1990s, enterprises have never been so optimistic as in the first quarter of 2000. The rising rate of price increase caused by high crude oil prices is assumed to be of a temporary nature. At the beginning of the year, unemployment is declining more strongly than expected. Possible dampening effects due to budget consolidation measures and international sanctions are not yet reflected in the statistics and are difficult to quantify at this point in time.