Germany continues to reap the rewards of a robust global economy. The International Monetary Fund has even predicted another slight improvement in world trade, taking growth to 4.9 per cent in 2006, compared with 4.8 per cent a year ago. With the US leading the way, the developed economies are expected to grow by 3.0 per cent in 2006 (2005: 2.7). Economic activity in the eurozone is likely to expand by 2.0 per cent in 2006 (2005: 1.7), while Asia is expected to maintain its forward momentum with a growth rate of 8 per cent. Economic growth in the Mercosur markets (4.5 per cent) and the Mexican economic area (3.7 per cent) is also expected to be more buoyant than last year.
