The German economy ended last year on a subdued note with data released Friday showing exports and industrial production posting surprise falls in December, dpa reported. The 0.9-per-cent, month-on-month drop in exports brought to an end four monthly gains as foreign demand levelled off, Federal Statistics Office data showed. Analysts had expected an increase of 0.8 per cent in December after exports had climbed 0.7 per cent in November. The release of the trade data coincided with the Ministry of Economics saying industrial production contracted 0.6 per cent in December when compared with November's output. The production and export data followed the release by the ministry on Thursday of figures showing industrial orders also posted a surprise 0.5-per-cent fall in December. Still, the ministry was upbeat about the economic prospects for Europe's largest economy in the coming 12 months. -- SPA 18:16 LOCAL TIME 15:16 GMT تغريد
