German consumer prices expected to be up 2.2pc in 2007

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BERLIN, Dec. 29 (Xinhua): The consumer price index for Germany is expected to rise 2.2 per cent on an annual average in 2007, German Federal Statistical Office said yesterday.
This is the first time for Germany to see over 2 per cent growth of annual consumer price in 13 years. In 1994, the index for the biggest economy within the European Union was 2.7 per cent.
According to the Wiesbaden-based office, the marked increase in the rate of inflation is mainly due to the above-average price increases for household energy and motor fuels and, during the second half of the year, for food and non- alcoholic beverages.
As for monthly growth, compared with December 2006, the price index for the country is expected to rise 2.8 per cent in December 2007.
The office said the slight decline compared with the November result (3.1 per cent) is basically attributable to the development of motor fuel prices which declined recently.