Released on = April 20, 2007, 10:33 am

Press Release Author = Jimwatson

Industry = Real Estate

Press Release Summary = The German economy is going from strength to strength
according to figures released by five of the country\'s economic institutes.
According to news agency Bloomberg, forecasts for economic growth have been raised
by two-thirds, with analysts predicting the economy to rise by 2.4 per cent this
year. In comparison, last year\'s projections for economic growth in 2007 were just
1.4 per cent.

Press Release Body = The German economy is going from strength to strength according
to figures released by five of the country\'s economic institutes. According to news
agency Bloomberg, forecasts for economic growth have been raised by two-thirds, with
analysts predicting the economy to rise by 2.4 per cent this year. In comparison,
last year\'s projections for economic growth in 2007 were just 1.4 per cent.

Germany is the largest economy in Europe and the forecasted growth should mean
increased affluence and the creation of more jobs. \"German exports are surging,
joblessness is falling and consumer price increases moderate,\" according to Business
Week analysts. Another possible side effect is a higher demand for commercial
property in key German cities.

The latest European property report issued by Scottish Widows Investment Partnership
(SWIP) found that the German property market had experienced \"significant growth\" in
2006. This was attributed to a rising service sector, which is beginning to fill he
gap left by the decline in the traditionally dominant marketing sector. According to
SWIP, the rise of the service sector will fuel a demand for office property.

Frankfurt was found to have seen the largest returns for office property last year,
which at 32 per cent have reached their highest levels in more than 15 years. The
commercial property rental market in the city has also experienced \"positive
growth\", the report found, attributed to \"booming growth in the business and
financial sectors, which now accounts for a third of employment in the city\".

Indications for future growth in Frankfurt are good, according to SWIP, because
there is a low vacancy rate for office property, especially in Grade A buildings.
Service sector growth has apparently boosted commercial premises rentals by 14 per
cent between 2005 and 2006. Another city that has been identified as being a
positive prospect for the future is Hamburg.

SWIP expects the city \"to lead Germany\'s office property market over the next five
years\". A \"well positioned\" service sector is singled out as being the most likely
driver behind a boost in the commercial property rentals market and the organisation
is prediction returns of around nine per cent in the city.

According to Robert Matthews, head of international property at SWIP, \"we\'re seeing
the start of a three to four year cycle starting now which will see the German
market gain confidence\". In his opinion, \"Germany doesn\'t have a single dominant
city\" and has several areas that present a range of opportunities for buy-to-let
investors. However, he added: \"Our forecasts point towards steady growth in Hamburg
over the next few years, where economic indicators and increased demand for office
property bode well for future growth.\"

Web Site = http://www.assetz.co.uk/

Contact Details = Assetz House, Newby Road, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 5DA, 0845 400
7000, linkexchangeseo@gmail.com