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Executive Bodies
The following are the members of the Board of Managing Directors (Vorstand) and the Advisory Board (Verwaltungsrat) for the financial year 2006.
Board of Managing Directors
Hans Bernhardt
Hans Jürgen Ploog
Dipl.-Kfm. Dr. h. c. Uwe Zimpelmann (Chairman)
Advisory Board
Chairman:
Präsident Gerd Sonnleitner, Deutscher Bauernverband e.V., Berlin
Deputy Chairman:
Horst Seehofer, Bundesminister für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, Berlin
Representatives of the Deutscher Bauernverband e.V.:
Präsident Heinz Christian Bär, Hessischer Bauernverband e.V., Friedrichsdorf (through September 30, 2006)
Präsident Udo Folgart, Landesbauernverband Brandenburg e.V., Teltow/Ruhlsdorf (since October 1, 2006)
Generalsekretär Dr. Helmut Born, Deutscher Bauernverband e.V., Berlin
Präsidentin Erika Lenz, Deutscher Landfrauenverband e.V., Berlin
Präsident Norbert Schindler, MdB, Bauern- und Winzerverband Rheinland-Pfalz Süd e.V., Mainz (through September 30, 2006)
Präsident Werner Hilse, Landvolk Niedersachsen-Landesbauernverband e.V., Hannover (since October 1, 2006)
Präsident Otto-Dietrich Steensen, Schleswig-Holsteinischer Bauernverband e.V., Rendsburg (through September 30, 2006)
Präsident Franz-Josef Möllers, Westfälisch-Lippischer-Landwirtschaftsverband e.V., Münster (since October 1, 2006)
Representatives of the Deutscher Raiffeisenverband e.V.:
Präsident Manfred Nüssel, Deutscher Raiffeisenverband e.V., Bonn
Representatives of the Food Industry:
Präsident Dr. Johannes Ströh, Zentralausschuss der Agrargewerblichen Wirtschaft e.V., Bonn (through May 14, 2006)
Dr. Peter Traumann, Mitglied des Vorstandes Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Ernährungsindustrie e.V., Berlin (since May 15, 2006)
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State Ministers of Agriculture:
Baden-Württemberg:
Peter Hauk, Minister für Ernährung und Ländlichen Raum des Landes Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart
Lower Saxony:
Hans-Heinrich Ehlen Minister für den Ländlichen Raum, Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Niedersachsen, Hannover
Thuringia:
Dr. Volker Sklenar, Minister für Landwirtschaft, Naturschutz und Umwelt des Freistaates Thüringen, Erfurt
Representatives of the Trade Unions:
Hans-Joachim Wilms, Stellvertretender Bundesvorsitzender der IG Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt, Berlin
Representative of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection:
Herbert Küster, Ministerialdirigent, Bonn (through February 28, 2006)
Dr. Jörg Wendisch, Ministerialdirektor, Bonn (since April 05, 2006)
Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance:
Dietrich Jahn, Ministerialdirigent, Berlin (through March 20, 2006)
Berthold Leber, Ministerialdirigent, Berlin (since April 05, 2006)
Representatives of banks or other loan specialists:
Dr. Rolf-E. Breuer, former Sprecher des Vorstands and former Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrates der Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main
Dr. Ulrich Brixner, Vorsitzender des Vorstandes der DZ BANK AG Deutschen Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main
Dr. Dietrich Hoppenstedt, former Präsident des Deutschen Sparkassen- und Giroverbandes e.V., Berlin (through June 30, 2006)
Dr. Thomas R. Fischer, Vorsitzender des Vorstandes der WestLB AG, Düsseldorf (since November 09, 2006)
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ACCOUNTANT’S REPORT
For the complete annual financial statements and the management report we have issued an unqualified Auditors' Report according to § 322 HGB (“German Commercial Code”). The translation of the Auditors' Report reads as follows:
Independent Auditors' Report
We have audited the annual financial statements - consisting of balance sheet, profit and loss account and notes - together with the bookkeeping system of the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank, Frankfurt am Main, as well as the consolidated financial statements - consisting of balance sheet, profit and loss account, notes, cash flow statement, segment report and capital development summary - and its management report and consolidated management report prepared by the Bank for the business year from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. The preparation of these documents in accordance with German commercial law as well as the supplementary regulations in the Statutes and the Rentenbank Law, are the responsibility of the Board of Managing Directors. Based on our audit, our responsibility is to express an opinion on the annual financial statements, together with the bookkeeping system, as well as on the consolidated financial statements and the manageme nt report and consolidated management report.
We conducted our audit of the annual and consolidated financial statements in accordance with § 317 HGB ("German Commercial Code") and German generally accepted standards for the audit of financial statements promulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit such that misstatements materially affecting the presentation of the net assets, financial position and profitability in the annual and the consolidated financial statements in accordance with German principles of proper accounting and in the management report and consolidated management report are detected with reasonable assurance. Knowledge of the business activities and the economic and legal environment of the Bank and the Group and evaluations of possible misstatements are taken into account in the determination of audit procedures. The effectiveness of the accounting-related internal control system and the evidence su pporting the disclosures in the books and records, the annual and consolidated financial statements and the management report and consolidated management report are examined primarily on a test basis within the framework of the audit. The audit includes an opinion on the annual financial statements of the companies included in the consolidated financial statements, a classification of subsidiaries for capital consolidation, the used accounting and consolidation principles and the significant estimates made by the Bank’s management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the annual and the consolidated financial statements and the management report and consolidated management report. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Our audit has not led to any reservations.
In our opinion, due to the conclusions received in the auditing process, the annual and the consolidated financial statements of the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank, Frankfurt am Main, comply with the legal regulations and the supplementary regulations in the Statutes and the Rentenbank Law and give a true and fair view of the net assets, financial position and profitability of the Bank and the Group in accordance with German principles of proper accounting. The management report and consolidated management report is consistent with the annual financial statements and the consolidated annual financial statements, provides a suitable understanding of the Bank's and the Group's position and suitably presents opportunities and risks of future development.
Frankfurt am Main, 8 March 2007 |
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Deloitte & Touche GmbH |
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft |
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(Prof. Dr. Kläs) | (Theileis) |
Wirtschaftsprüfer | Wirtschaftsprüfer |
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT(1)
Consolidated Funded Debt Outstanding
| | | | | | | Principal | |
| | | | | | | Amount | |
| | | | | | | Outstanding at | |
| | | Year of | | | | December 31, | |
| Interest Rate | | Incurrence | | Maturity | | 2006 | |
|
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| |
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| | | | | | | (€ in millions) | |
1. Promissory Notes/Internat. Loans | 1.705%-6.20 | % | 1997-2006 | | 2007-2020 | | 822 | |
(Schuldscheindarlehen) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
2. Registered Bonds | 0%-7.10 | % | 1973-2006 | | 2007-2031 | | 6,819 | |
(Namensschuldverschreibungen) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
3. Bearer Bonds | | | | | | | | |
Secured | 2.66%-7.285 | % | 1997-2006 | | 2007-2013 | | 1,636 | |
Unsecured | 0%-13.50 | % | 1995-2006 | | 2007-2049 | | 62,775 | |
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Total consolidated funded debt | | | | | | | 72,052 | |
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(1) | Rentenbank’s funded debt includes the following debt in foreign currencies: |
| | Principal Amount Outstanding | |
Currency | | at December 31, 2006 | |
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| | (€ in millions) | |
Australian dollar | | 4,649 | |
Canadian dollar | | 1,446 | |
Mexican peso | | 220 | |
Polish zloty | | 49 | |
Hungarian forint | | 21 | |
Japanese Yen | | 2,982 | |
New Zealand dollar | | 1,416 | |
Norwegian kroner | | 466 | |
Pound sterling | | 1,271 | |
Swedish kroner | | 65 | |
Turkish lira | | 61 | |
Swiss francs | | 1,221 | |
South African rand | | 386 | |
Iceland krona | | 97 | |
U.S. dollar | | 32,679 | |
| |
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| | 47,029 | |
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Repayment Schedule for Consolidated Funded Debt
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | After | | | |
| 2007 | | 2008 | | 2009 | | 2010 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2016 | | Total | |
|
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(€ in millions) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1. Promissory Notes/Intern.Loans: | 139 | | 54 | | 9 | | 225 | | 69 | | — | | — | | 230 | | 2 | | 1 | | 93 | | 822 | |
(Schuldscheindarlehen) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2. Registered Bonds | 867 | | 1,124 | | 1,113 | | 584 | | 425 | | 462 | | 968 | | 432 | | 332 | | 432 | | 80 | | 6,819 | |
(Namensschuldverschreibungen) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3. Bearer Bonds | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Secured | 241 | | 86 | | 1,305 | | — | | 2 | | — | | 2 | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 1,636 | |
Unsecured | 18,455 | | 13,057 | | 8,216 | | 6,498 | | 6,180 | | 547 | | 3,689 | | 739 | | 2,219 | | 1,682 | | 1,682 | | 62,775 | |
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Total | 19,702 | | 14,321 | | 10,643 | | 7,307 | | 6,676 | | 1,008 | | 4,659 | | 1,401 | | 2,553 | | 2,115 | | 1,667 | | 72,052 | |
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THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
GENERAL
Area, Location and Population
The Federal Republic is situated in central Europe and comprises an area of about 138,000 square miles. Its total population was in the range of 82.4 million in 2005. Approximately 14% of the total population is concentrated in metropolitan areas with more than 500,000 inhabitants; the largest of these areas are Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart, Dortmund, Essen, Dusseldorf and Bremen.
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2006, Tables 2, 2.5, 2.6)
Government
The Federal Republic is a federated republic whose constitution is codified in the Grundgesetz of 1949. It consists of 16 federal states (Länder). The capital of the Federal Republic is Berlin. The Länder have legislative sovereignty over matters not expressly reserved to the legislative, executive and judicial bodies of the Federal Republic.
The Grundgesetz provides for a Federal President (Bundespräsident), two Houses of Parliament (the Bundestag, which currently has 614 members, and the Bundesrat, which consists of representatives of the 16 Länder governments), a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) and a Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht). The Chancellor heads the Federal Government, consisting of the Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. The Bundespräsident acts as head of state.
General elections for the Bundestag are generally held every four years. The last general election was held on September 18, 2005.
A political party is not entitled to party representation in the Bundestag unless it receives at least 5% of the votes cast or three direct mandates in a general election. The Chancellor is elected by and is responsible to the Bundestag.
Political Parties
The political parties currently represented in the Bundestag are the Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Social Democrats (SPD), the Free Democrats (FDP), the Left-Wing Party of Democratic Socialism (Linkspartei.PDS, formerly PDS) together with members of the party Labor and Social Justice – The Election Alternative (WASG) as the left-wing fraction (Die Linke.), and the Greens (Bündnis 90/Grüne).
Since 1949, the Federal Republic has been governed by eight Chancellors over 16 electoral periods. The last general elections took place in September 2005 and resulted in a so-called ”grand coalition” between the two largest political blocs, the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD), led by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).
The following table shows the results of the five most recent general elections to the Bundestag.
| 2005 | | 2002 | | 1998 | | 1994 | | 1990 | |
| Elections | | Elections | | Elections | | Elections | | Elections(1) | |
| % of | | | | % of | | | | % of | | | | % of | | | | % of | | | |
| Votes | | Seats | | Votes | | Seats | | Votes | | Seats | | Votes | | Seats | | Votes | | Seats | |
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CDU/CSU | 35.2 | | 226 | | 38.5 | | 248 | | 35.1 | | 245 | | 41.4 | | 294 | | 43.8 | | 319 | |
SPD | 34.2 | | 222 | | 38.5 | | 251 | | 40.9 | | 298 | | 36.4 | | 252 | | 33.5 | | 239 | |
FDP | 9.8 | | 61 | | 7.4 | | 47 | | 6.2 | | 43 | | 6.9 | | 47 | | 11.0 | | 79 | |
Die Linke.(2) | 8.7 | | 54 | | 4.0 | | 2 | | 5.1 | | 36 | | 4.4 | | 30 | | 2.4 | | 17 | |
Bündnis 90/Grüne(3) | 8.1 | | 51 | | 8.6 | | 55 | | 6.7 | | 47 | | 7.3 | | 49 | | 5.0 | | 8 | |
Others | 3.9 | | — | | 3.0 | | — | | 5.9 | | — | | 3.6 | | — | | 4.2 | | — | |
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| | | |
| | | |
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Total | | | 614 | | | | 603 | | | | 669 | | | | 672 | | | | 662 | |
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(1) | In 1990, Bündnis 90 (east German Grüne) and PDS were represented in the Bundestag pursuant to special provisions in the Treaty on Unity, relating to the political parties of the eastern Länder. |
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(2) | Results of the PDS for all elections prior to 2005. |
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(3) | Includes the results of the west German Grüne party and of Bündnis 90 (east German Grüne) for 1990; includes the results of the combined Bündnis 90/Grüne for 1994 and all subsequent periods. |
(Sources: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2005, Tables 4.3 and 4.6; Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2006, Tables 4.3 and 4.6)
International Organizations
In addition to the European Union (“EU”), the Federal Republic is a member of various major multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (“World Bank”), the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”), the West European Union (“WEU”), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”). In addition, the Federal Republic is a signatory to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (“GATT”) and a member of the World Trade Organization (“WTO”). It is also a shareholder of, among others, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Atomic Energy Community.
The European Union and European Integration
The Federal Republic was a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community (“ECSC”) in 1951, which later developed into the European Union. Today, the Federal Republic is one of 27 member states of the EU (the “Member States”). On May 1, 2004, ten new countries, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia became part of the EU, joining its previous members Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. On January 1, 2007, two new countries, Bulgaria and Romania, joined the EU. The aggregate population of the Member States is now approximately 493 million. Accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia started in October 2005. Furthermore, in December 2005 the European Council decided to grant candidate status to the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia.
(Sources: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/countries/index_en.htm#acceding;
http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/history/index_en.htm; http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/index_en.htm;
Eurostat news release 167/2006,”The new EU of 27 and euro area of 13”, December 19, 2006: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_PRD_CAT_PREREL/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_ 2006/PGE_CAT_PREREL_YEAR_2006_MONTH_12/1-19122006-EN-AP.PDF;
http://ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ec/87642.pdf, page 7)
Economic Integration
From its inception, a fundamental objective of the EU and its predecessors has been the economic integration of its Member States. Culminating a long process, an internal market that provides for the free movement of goods and services, persons and capital among the Member States was established as of January 1, 1993. The integration of the Member States’ economies and the completion of a single market are also promoted by a European competition policy, which aims at creating a level playing field for Member States’ companies and promoting economic efficiency. In addition, various liberalization and harmonization measures are being implemented, for example in the telecommunications and the energy sector. In the financial sector, the single market has been fostered by providing for the free movement of capital and the freedom to perform banking services throughout the EU under the so-called “European Passport”, which enables financial institutions to provide financial services throughout the common market based on a single license obtained in one Member State. Another important policy area for the EU has been agriculture. Subsidies to this sector make up more than 40% of the EU’s budget. A further tool with which the EU promotes economic integration is regional aid, which is designed to focus development efforts on certain disadvantaged regions and sections of population of the EU.
The financial framework for the enlarged EU for the period from 2007 until 2013 was formally adopted on May 17, 2006, with an Inter-institutional Agreement (“IIA”) signed by the European Parliament (the “Parliament”), the Council of the European Union (the “Council”) and the European Commission (the
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“Commission”). Among other things, the IIA defines maximum amounts for commitment appropriations, which cover legal commitments made to spend funds over one or more years in certain expenditure categories. Additionally, the IIA defines an annual average maximum amount for payment appropriations (1.0% of EU gross national income), which cover payments made to honor the legal commitments entered into during the current financial year and/or earlier financial years. The 2007 EU budget, which was adopted by the Parliament on December 14, 2006, is the first yearly EU budget adopted within this financial framework. The adopted 2007 budget amounts to EUR 126.5 billion in commitment appropriations and EUR 115.5 billion in payment appropriations. The amount of commitment appropriations corresponds to 1.08% of the EU gross national income, while the amount of payment appropriations corresponds to 0.99% of the EU gross natural income.
(Sources: EUROPA – Bulletin for the European Union – 12-2006:
http://europa.eu/cgi-bin/printbu.cgi?lng=en&no=200612&pt=p134001.htm&lv=1;
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/prior_future/fin_framework_en.htm;
Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (2006/C 139/01):
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/c_139/c_13920060614en00010017.pdf;
http://ec.europa.eu/budget/budget_detail/current_year_en.htm; http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/1810&format=HTML&aged=1&language=E N&guiLanguage=en ; http://europa.eu.int/abc/index_en.htm; European Commission, Europe in 12 lessons:
http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/index_en.htm; http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_5/index_en.htm)
Monetary Integration
The Federal Republic is a signatory to, and has ratified, the Treaty on European Union of February 1992 (also known as the “Maastricht Treaty”). The Maastricht Treaty was the basis for the establishment of the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”). The EMU led, in turn, to the adoption of irrevocable conversion rates between the euro and the national currencies of the initial participating Member States on December 31, 1998 and the introduction of the euro as the single European currency in the euro area on January 1, 1999. On January 1, 2002, banknotes and coins denominated in euro were introduced as legal tender to replace the national currencies in the 12 Member States forming the euro area at that time (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain). Slovenia joined the euro area as the thirteenth Member State on January 1, 2007.
The European Central Bank (“ECB”) was established on June 1, 1998, as part of the European System of Central Banks (“ESCB”). According to the Maastricht Treaty, the primary objective of the ESCB is to maintain price stability. Without prejudice to the objective of price stability, the ESCB supports the general economic policies of the EU. See “Monetary and Financial System” for more information on the ECB and ESCB. The Eurosystem, consisting of the ECB and the national central banks of those Member States whose currency is the euro, assumed sole responsibility for the monetary policy in the euro area on January 1, 1999.
(Sources: European Commission, press release IP/00/422 dated May 3, 2000; “The History of the European Union: 2001”: http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/2002/index_en.htm;
http://europa.eu/abc/history/2000_today/2001/index_en.htm;
http://europa.eu/abc/history/1990-1999/1998/index_en.htm;
http://europa.eu/abc/history/1990-1999/1999/index_en.htm;
http://www.ecb.eu/ecb/history/emu/html/index.en.html)
To ensure continuous budgetary discipline in the EMU, the Member States agreed on the main elements of a Stability and Growth Pact (the “Pact”) in 1996. According to the Pact, Member States must pursue the medium-term objective of achieving a balanced budget or even a budget surplus so as to create a margin that enables them to deal with cyclical fluctuations.
Under the Maastricht Treaty, implementing regulations and the Pact, a Member State whose general government deficit exceeds the reference value of 3% of its gross domestic product (“GDP”) becomes subject to the “excessive deficit procedure”. The procedure provides that the Council, meeting in the composition of Economics and Finance Ministers of the Member States (commonly known as the “Ecofin Council”), decides whether an excessive deficit has been incurred. If it so concludes, the Ecofin Council, based on recommendations by the Commission, suggests corrective measures aiming at a deficit reduction and then reviews the corrective measures taken by a Member State. If it determines that such corrective measures are not adequate, the Maastricht Treaty and the Pact provide for a wide range of remedies. For those Member States whose currency is the euro, this process could ultimately lead to the imposition of annual financial penalties of
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as much as 0.5% of a Member State’s GDP. Financial penalties may not be imposed, however, until the end of a further review period. Furthermore, the Pact provides that the 3% limit may be exceeded without triggering an excessive deficit procedure provided that the deficit is considered to be exceptional and temporary. This would be the case in the event of a severe economic downturn (i.e., a recession) or an unusual event outside the control of the Member State concerned (e.g., a significant natural disaster or a war having an impact on that Member State).
Since 2002, the Commission has initiated excessive deficit procedures against various Member States, including Germany. For further information on the excessive deficit procedure against Germany, see below under “The Economy — Germany’s General Government Deficit, the Stability Program and the Excessive Deficit Procedure”.
Since the EMU came into force, some of the Member States have had recurring problems complying with the 3% limit and a discussion about how the Pact could be improved evolved. This discussion led to the decisions of the Council in March 2005 to modify the Pact. A Member State’s deficit may now exceed 3% of GDP not only in case of a severe economic downturn, as was previously the case, but also in case of a longer period of weak growth. Furthermore, in judging whether a deficit is too high and whether a Member State must implement corrective measures, an indicative list of relevant factors has been agreed, including, among others, the costs of implementing policies according to the Lisbon agenda, which was adopted in March 2000 and outlines the EU’s strategy for economic, social and environmental renewal until 2010, high financial contributions aiming at fostering international solidarity and achieving European policy goals, notably European unification, and the costs of pension reform.
(Sources: European Commission, press releases dated October 16, 2002, April 2, 2003, April 28, 2004 and May 12, 2004; Ecofin Council, press release dated May 11, 2004; Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report February 2003, page 55; Eurostat, Euro indicators news release dated March 17, 2003; European Commission, SPEECH/04/387; European Commission, press release IP/05/153 dated February 9, 2005; Presidency Conclusions of the European Council, March 2005 (press release 7619/05 of the European Council))
Political Integration
The EU’s three main institutions are the Council (representing the governments of the Member States), the Parliament (elected by and representing the citizens of the Member States) and the Commission (the executive body of the EU). In order to ensure that the decision-making process within the EU’s institutions continues to work effectively, the European Convention was formed in 2001. Its goal was to draft a European Constitution which sets out the powers and responsibilities of the institutions and the decision-making process, thus enabling the EU to cope with its main challenges in the mid-term future, the enlargement of the EU and the increased involvement of EU citizens by introducing more democracy and transparency into the governance of the EU. The draft Constitution was presented in July 2003, and in October 2004, the Council finally agreed on the Constitution, which must be ratified by all Member States in order to take effect. T o date, 18 Member States have ratified the Constitution. However, in separate referendums held at the end of May and the beginning of June 2005, respectively, the people of France and the Netherlands voted against the ratification of the Constitution. The project of constitutional reform has not, however, been abandoned, and in March 2007, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States adopted the “Berlin Declaration”, which sets forth the goal of placing the EU on a renewed common basis before the Parliament elections in 2009.
(Sources: http://europa.eu.int/futurum/constitution/index_en.htm; European Commission, Europe in 12 lessons, 2004; http://ue.eu.int/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=735&lang=EN&mode=g;
http://europa.eu.int/constitution/ratification_en.htm; http://europa.eu/constitution/citizens_ask_en.htm#q9;
http://europa.eu.int/constitution/referendum_en.htm; http://www.eu2007.de/en/News/Press_Releases/March/0325BPAFestakt.html;
http://www.eu2007.de/de/News/download_docs/Maerz/0324-RAA/English.pdf)
Statistical Disclosure Standards of the International Monetary Fund
The Federal Republic currently meets the Special Data Dissemination Standard (“SDDS”) of the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) relating to coverage, periodicity and timeliness of economic data. Although subscription by member countries to the SDDS is voluntary, it carries a commitment by subscribing members to observe the standard and to provide certain information to the IMF about its practices in disseminating economic and financial data.
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THE ECONOMY
Overview
Since 1945, the Federal Republic’s economic system has developed into a social market economy, combining the free initiative of the individual with progressive social principles. The Grundgesetz guarantees freedom of private enterprise and private property, provided that these basic rights must not be exercised against the public good. The state mainly has a regulatory function in the market economy, setting the general framework of conditions within which market processes take place. State intervention in price setting is limited to a very small number of industries.
Key Economic Figures
The German economy is one of the world’s largest economies. In 2006, its GDP expressed at current prices was EUR 2,307.2 billion compared to EUR 2,241.0 billion in 2005, which corresponds to an increase of 3.0%. Real GDP rose by 2.7% compared to 2005, and by 24.2% compared to 1991. This growth in GDP since 1991 has been largely driven by gains in productivity, as real GDP per employee has risen by 22.7% since 1991. In calculating real GDP growth, the Federal Statistical Office uses a chain index based on previous years’ prices. In 2006, GDP per capita at current prices was EUR 28,012, while GDP per employee at current prices was EUR 58,999.
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Tables 2.1.1, 2.1.4, 2.2.13)
As in many advanced economies, the services sector of the Federal Republic has become a more important contributor to GDP than any other sector. In 2006, financial, renting and business activities accounted for 29.0%, (1991: 23.3%) and other public and private service activities accounted for 21.9% (1991: 20.8%) of gross value added, measured at current prices, while the share of trade and transport services, including hotel and restaurant services as well as communication services, remained fairly constant at 18.3% (1991: 17.9%). The production sector (excluding construction) generated 26.0% of gross value added compared to 30.6% in 1991. Construction contributed 4.0% (1991: 6.0%) to gross value added, and agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 1.0% of gross value added (1991: 1.4%).
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Table 2.2.1)
In 2006, private consumption totaled 58.5% of GDP, gross fixed capital formation amounted to 17.8%, and government consumption equaled 18.5%. Exports and imports of goods and services accounted for 44.9% and 39.6% of GDP at current prices, respectively, for the year. The trade balance thus showed a surplus equal to 5.3% of GDP in 2006.
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Table 2.3.1)
Overall, the German economy grew strongly in 2006. The 2.7% increase in real GDP compared to 2005 represented the highest rate of economic growth since 2000 and the second highest increase since German reunification in 1990. Economic growth was attributable to both domestic and foreign demand, with domestic demand contributing more to GDP growth than net exports. The growth in domestic demand by 1.6% was mainly due to gross fixed capital formation, which increased by 5.6%, representing the highest growth rate since 1990. Increases in private consumption by 0.8% and in public consumption by 1.8% also contributed to domestic demand. In addition, foreign trade continued its dynamic trend in 2006 with the growth rates of imports and exports nearly doubling compared to 2005.
(Sources: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Table 2.3.2)
Exports of the Federal Republic totaled EUR 1,035.7 billion in 2006, or 44.9% of GDP at current prices. This corresponds to an increase of 13.5% compared to 2005. At constant prices, exports increased by 12.5% from 2005 to 2006. The unemployment rate (as computed under the “national definition” of the Federal Employment Agency) decreased from 11.7% in 2005 to 10.8% in 2006. Based on the internationally comparable method of calculation promulgated by the International Labor Organization (ILO), which is referred to as the “ILO definition”, the unemployment rate decreased from 9.1% in 2005 to 8.1% in 2006. For an
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explanation of the differences between the national definition and the ILO definition, see “Employment and Labor”. The inflation rate as measured by the percentage increase in the national consumer price index (CPI) decreased from 2.0% in 2005 to 1.7% in 2006. This decrease was mainly due to a more moderate rise in energy prices in 2006 compared to 2005. General government debt totaled EUR 1,521.6 billion at year-end 2005 and EUR 1,567.0 billion at year-end 2006.
(Sources: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2–4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007), Table 1.10; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Tables 2.3.1 and 2.3.2; Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Monatsbericht Dezember und Jahr 2006, Table Arbeitsmarktzahlen 2002 bis 2006; Deutsche Bundesbank Monatsbericht März 2007, Tables IX.1, X.7; Deutsche Bundesbank Monatsbericht Januar 2007, page 8)
In its spring projection published in April 2007, the Federal Government forecast that real GDP growth in Germany will be 2.3% in 2007, which constitutes an upward revision compared to its previous official forecast of 1.7% made in January 2007. The Federal Government expects that worldwide GDP growth will be slightly lower in 2007 compared to 2006, but that it will remain dynamic, and, when taken together with the high competitiveness of German businesses, should continue to benefit German exports. In addition to the expansive external economic environment, the recovery of domestic demand is increasingly contributing to economic growth, i.e. enterprises continue to increase investments at high rates and private consumption expenditures recover further. After an increase of 5.6% in 2006, gross fixed capital formation is expected to grow by an even stronger 6.2% in 2007. Although financing conditions worsened somewhat last year due to, among other factors, increases in ECB’s key interest rates, German companies are believed to have large amounts of resources at their disposal to finance investment as a result of higher levels of corporate profits. Additionally, investment is expected to increase as a result of favorable sales perspectives and a rise in capacity utilization to levels not seen since German reunification. Thus, the upswing of gross fixed capital formation in machinery and equipment is expected to continue with the real growth rate declining only marginally from 7.3% in 2006 to 7.0% in 2007. Moreover, the recovery of construction, which started last year after a decade of decline, is expected to continue. Following its rise of 4.2% in 2006, real gross fixed capital formation in construction is projected to grow even faster by 5.4% in 2007. The real growth rate of private consumption is expected to remain stable at 0.8% despite the increase in the standard rate of value-added tax ( “VAT”) from 16% to 19% as of January 2007. The dampening effect of the VAT hike is compensated by a rise in disposable income resulting from increased earnings and strong employment growth. The Federal Government expects employment to rise by 1.2% or 470,000 persons in 2007, while registered unemployment is expected to fall even more strongly by 750,000 persons. Government consumption is projected to grow only moderately by 0.5% in 2007.
(Sources: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2–4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007); Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, Jahreswirtschaftsbericht 2007 der Bundesregierung, pages 55-64; Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, Annual Economic Report 2007: Utilising the Upswing for Reforms – Summary –; Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft, Konjunktureller Aufschwung verfestigt sich – Frühjahrsprognose der Bundesregierung, Press release 25 April 2007 (http://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Navigation/Presse/pressemitteilungen,did=200642.html))
The following table shows selected key economic figures for the Federal Republic for the past five years.
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KEY ECONOMIC FIGURES
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
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| (EUR in billions) | |
GDP – at current prices | 2,307.2 | | 2,241.0 | | 2,207.2 | | 2,161.5 | | 2,143.2 | |
(change from previous year in %) | 3.0 | | 1.5 | | 2.1 | | 0.9 | | 1.4 | |
GDP – price-adjusted, chain-linked index (2000=100), | | | | | | | | | | |
not adjusted for calendar effects | 106.0 | | 103.2 | | 102.3 | | 101.1 | | 101.2 | |
(change from previous year in %) | 2.7 | | 0.9 | | 1.2 | | (0.2 | ) | 0.0 | |
GDP – price-adjusted, chain-linked index (2000=100), | | | | | | | | | | |
adjusted for calendar effects | 106.1 | | 103.1 | | 102.0 | | 101.2 | | 101.4 | |
(change from previous year in %) | 2.9 | | 1.1 | | 0.8 | | (0.2 | ) | 0.0 | |
Unemployment rate (ILO definition) | | | | | | | | | | |
(in %) (2) | 8.1 | | 9.1 | | 9.2 | | 8.7 | | 7.6 | |
Rate of inflation | | | | | | | | | | |
(year-to-year change in consumer price index (CPI) in %) | 1.7 | | 2.0 | | 1.6 | | 1.1 | | 1.4 | |
Balance of payments – current account | 116.6 | | 103.1 | | 94.9 | | 40.9 | | 43.0 | |
General government debt (1) | 1,567.0 | | 1,521.6 | | 1,451.1 | | 1,381.0 | | 1,293.0 | |
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(1) | Definition according to Maastricht Treaty. |
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(2) | Unemployed persons, available and seeking work. |
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table IX.1, X.7 and XI.2; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2 – 4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007), Table 1.1 and 1.10)
Germany’s General Government Deficit, the Stability Program and the Excessive Deficit Procedure
The following table shows historical information on the Federal Republic’s general government deficit and debt as a percentage of GDP. The general government deficit refers to the excess of consolidated public sector expenditures over consolidated public sector proceeds. The public sector according to this definition includes the Federal Government, the Länder governments, the municipalities and the social security system. For the calculation of the fiscal Maastricht criteria, the accounting principles of the European System of National Accounts 1995 generally apply.
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC’S FISCAL MAASTRICHT CRITERIA
| 2006(1) | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
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General government deficit as | | | | | | | | | | |
% of GDP(2)(3) | 1.7 | | 3.2 | | 3.7 | | 4.0 | | 3.7 | |
General government debt as | | | | | | | | | | |
% of GDP(2) | 67.9 | | 67.9 | | 65.7 | | 63.9 | | 60.3 | |
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(1) | Provisional figures, partly estimated. |
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(2) | GDP including financial intermediation services indirectly measured (FISIM). |
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(3) | Unlike the net lending/net borrowing balance as shown in the national accounts, the deficit ratio as defined in the Maastricht Treaty includes interest payments arising from the swap transactions and forward rate agreements. |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table IX.1)
Lower than expected total public sector receipts and higher labor market and social security expenditures due to sluggish economic growth resulted in general government deficits above the limit of 3% of GDP permitted under the Maastricht Treaty for the Federal Republic for the years 2002 to 2005. The Federal Republic’s gross debt had also been exceeding the threshold of a debt-to-GDP ratio of no more than 60% with an increasing tendency from 2002 up until 2005. The debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the “Maastricht criteria” for accession to the EMU and, while exceeding the 60% threshold as such does not trigger an excessive deficit procedure, the development of the ratio is considered in the evaluation of a Member State’s public finances.
In November 2002, the Commission initiated an excessive deficit procedure against the Federal Republic based on the general government deficit exceeding the limit of 3%. In January 2003, as contemplated by the Maastricht Treaty, the Ecofin Council issued recommendations for corrective action, in response to which
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the Federal Republic implemented various measures. In November 2003, the Ecofin Council decided not to pursue the Commission’s recommendation to proceed with the excessive deficit procedure against the Federal Republic. Following that decision, the situation was provisionally resolved in December 2004, when the Commission accepted the Federal Government’s stability program and decided that it would not proceed further with the excessive deficit procedure against the Federal Republic at that point. However, due to the continuing violation of the deficit and debt criteria – in 2005 the deficit and the debt-to-GDP-ratio were 3.2% and 67.9%, respectively – and in light of the Federal Government’s stability program of February 2006, which again projected a deficit in excess of 3% in 2006, the Ecofin Council decided to resume the excessive deficit procedure against the Federal Republic. The Ecofin Council’s decision required the Federal Government to lower its deficit below 3% of GDP by 2007 at the latest and to periodically report on the measures taken to this effect.
Over the past months the economic situation of the Federal Republic has developed better than expected, leading to an unexpected increase in tax revenues. Accordingly, the general government deficit decreased to 1.7% of GDP in 2006, which is substantially below the threshold set by the Maastricht Treaty, while the general government debt to GDP ratio remained stable at 67.9% compared to 2005, which is still above the threshold set by the Maastricht Treaty. In October 2006, the Ecofin Council decided not to take any further steps in the excessive deficit procedure in respect of Germany in light of data contained in the so-called “Maastricht-Notification” submitted to the Commission by the Minister of Finance at the end of September 2006. In 2007, the deficit ratio is expected to decline to 1.2% and the debt ratio is expected to decline to 66.7%, according to the Maastricht-Notification submitted by the Minister of Finance to the Commission in late March 2007, thus being even lower than projected in the December 2006 update of the German stability program (1 ½ % for the deficit and 67% for the debt ratio). This development is expected to be accompanied by a reduction of the structural deficit (i.e., the general government deficit adjusted for cyclical effects) of approximately half a percentage point. This expectation was confirmed by the Commission’s spring forecast, which was published on May 7, 2007. According to the forecast, the Commission estimates that the German deficit in 2007 will be as low as 0.6% and, hence, even lower than predicted by the Federal Government in its most recent Maastricht-Notification. The Commission also projects that the structural deficit will be reduced by approximately three-quarters of a percentage point, which would represent an even stronger reduction than expected by the Federal Government. On this basis, the Commission made a recommendation to the Ecofin Council on May 16, 2007, to dismiss the excessive deficit procedure against Germany.
In addition to the continuing economic recovery, the increase of the standard VAT rate from January 1, 2007 by 3 percentage points will contribute to further reducing general government deficit and general government debt, since two-thirds of the additional VAT revenues will be used for budget consolidation purposes, while the remainder will be used to lower unemployment insurance contributions (i.e., non-wage labor cost). The Federal Government also cut expenditures (e.g., by abolishing subsidies for homeowners and reducing the tax allowance for commuters). According to the December 2006 update of the German stability program, overall public expenditures are expected to increase by only 1% on average until 2010, leading to estimated expenditures of 45% and 43% of GDP in 2007 and 2010, respectively, compared to 45.7% in 2006.
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table IX.1; http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=SPEECH/03/259|0|RAPID&lg=EN; http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.getfile=gf&doc=IP/03/1560|0|AGED&lg=EN&type= PDF; http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.getfile=gf&doc=PRES/03/320|0|AGED&lg=EN&type =PDF; (http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1471&format=HTML&aged=0&language =EN&guiLanguage=en) Press release of the European Commission IP/06/246, dated March 1, 2005
(http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/246&format=HTML&aged=0&language= EN&guiLanguage=en); Press release of the Council of the European Union 6917/06 (Presse 64)
(http://ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ecofin/88797.pdf); Germany’s October 2006 Excessive Deficit Procedure notification table, “Reporting of Government Deficits and Debt Levels,” submitted September 28, 2006 (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/PGP_DS_GFS/PGE_DS_GFS_3/DE_OCT06_1.PDF); Council of the European Union, 2753rd Council meeting, Economic and Financial Affairs, Luxembourg, 10 October 2006, Press Release
(http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ecofin/91272.pdf); Bundesregierung, Erfolg für deutsche Finanzpolitik: Haushalt 2006 erfüllt Maastricht-Kriterien, Press release 28 September 2006
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(http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/Pressemitteilungen/BMF/2006/09/2006-09-28-erfolg-fuer-deutsche-finanzpolitik,layoutVariant=Druckansicht.html); Bundesregierung, EU setzt Defizitverfahren gegen Deutschland aus, Press release 10 October 2006
(http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/Artikel/2006/10/2006-10-10-eu-stellt-defizitverfahren-ein,layoutVariant=Druckansicht.html); Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Kurs halten in Deutschland und Europa – Stabilitätsprogramm belegt erfolgreichen Konsolidierungs- und Wachstumskurs der Bundesregierung, Press release, 29 November 2006
(http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/DE/Aktuelles/Pressemitteilungen/2006/11/20063011__PM141.html); Federal Ministry of Finance, German Stability Programme, December 2006 Update
(http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/lang_de/DE/Service/Downloads/Abt__I/0611301a1005,templateId=ra w,property=publicationFile.pdf); Statistisches Bundesamt, Maastricht deficit ratio for 2006 amounts to 1.7%, Press release, 22 February 2007
(http://www.destatis.de/presse/englisch/pm2007/p0700121.htm); Deutsche Bundesbank, Maastricht-Schuldenstand 2006 deutlich gestiegen, Schuldenquote unverändert, Press release, 12 March 2007
(http://www.bundesbank.de/download/presse/pressenotizen/2007/20070312.schuldenstand.php); Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Maastricht-Defizit 2007: -1.2% des BIP, Press release 30 March 2007
(http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_82/DE/Aktuelles/Pressemitteilungen/2007/03/20073003__P M034.html); EU Commission, Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs, Spring Economic Forecasts 2007-2008
(http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/2007/ee207en.pdf), pp. 54-56; Press release of the European Commission IP/07/672, dated May 16, 2007 (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/672&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en))
Economic Policy
The Federal Government’s foremost economic policy objectives are to promote economic growth and employment. In addition, in light of the challenges resulting from European integration, globalization and the emergence of a knowledge-based economy, the Federal Government aims to modernize the German economy and German society on every level. The Federal Government believes that achieving these objectives is also necessary to further improve the Federal Republic’s position as a business location in the worldwide competition for ideas and capital, innovation and investment.
To achieve these goals, the previous Federal Government adopted several major economic policy initiatives, including measures providing for consolidation of the budget, reform of the social security system, improved flexibility of the labor market, a further opening up of product markets and an income tax reform. In addition, steps to facilitate raising venture capital and to improve the efficiency of the German capital markets were taken.
In order to continue and reinforce the course of reform, especially with respect to the social security system, the previous Federal Government announced and implemented a bundle of measures designated as “Agenda 2010” which comprised, among others, measures to make the labor markets more flexible, to reform the system of unemployment and welfare benefits, to reform labor, social and tax laws, to promote employment and economic growth, and to strengthen the financial position of the municipalities.
The current Federal Government is continuing this reform policy and is engaging in additional reforms designed to further strengthen the competitiveness of the German economy, especially for businesses that operate internationally. Some of these reform measures are already in effect, others have only just received, or are currently awaiting, legislative approval, and a third group is still in the planning phase. The measures include major reforms of the health insurance, the pension system, corporate and other general business taxation as well as various measures aiming at a consolidation of the budget, further labor market reforms and the reform of the federal system. For more information on the planned reform of the health insurance and the pension system, see “Social Security Legislation and Social Policy”. For more information on the measures planned to reform corporate and other general business taxation as well as various other tax-related measures implemented with a view to consolidating the budget, see “Public Finance — Tax Structure —Recent and Pending Tax Reform Measures”.
A major reform of the federal system, the so-called federalism reform (Föderalismusreform), was implemented in 2006 in order to provide a clear-cut allocation of responsibilities between the federal level (Bund) and the state level (Länder). The tasks that are allocated exclusively to either the federal level or the state level has been increased. In a second step of the reform, measures relating to fiscal relations are also planned, but this part of the reform is still at an early stage.
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The Federal Government also intends to reduce costs to the economy related to unnecessary bureaucracy. For these purposes, an independent council was founded to examine each new legislative proposal with respect to its anticipated associated administrative and information costs for citizens and businesses. The aim is to reduce the administrative burden by 25% as measured by the so-called standard cost model (Standardkostenmodell) over the period through year-end 2011.
Further, to foster economic growth, the Federal Government has implemented a program to bolster the framework for investment and employment, which comprises additional measures involving expenditures amounting to EUR 25 billion through 2009 at the federal level. In addition, the Länder and municipalities will spend a further EUR 12 billion. These measures are designed to promote innovation and private investment, but also aim at supporting families. They include special tax allowances for depreciation expenses and employment in private households, increased spending for research, development and public infrastructure.
(Sources: http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/DE/Bundesregierung/Koalitionsvertrag/koalitionsvertrag.html; http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/DE/Reformprojekte/reformprojekte.html; http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/DE/Reformprojekte/Foederalismusreform/foederalismusreform.htm; http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/DE/Reformprojekte/Buerokratieabbau/buerokratieabbau.html; http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_65600/Content/DE/StatischeSeiten/Breg/Reformprojekte/solide-finanzen-2006-08-18-weniger-steuerverguenstigungen-mehr-investitionen-1.html; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Deutsches Stabilitätsprogramm, Aktualisierung Februar 2006, pages 10-12; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Deutsches Stabilitätsprogramm, Aktualisierung Dezember 2006, ch. 2; http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_66140/Content/DE/StatischeSeiten/Breg/Reformprojekte/wachstum-und-beschaeftigung-2006-08-18-das-25-milliarden-euro-programm-1.html;
http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_65566/Webs/Breg/DE/Reformprojekte/Buerokratieabbau/buerokratieabbau. html; http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_151820/Content/DE/StatischeSeiten/Breg/Reformprojekte/buerokratieabbau - -2007-01-12-wie-werden-buerokratiekosten-gemessen.html; http://www.destatis.de/skm/handbuch_skm.pdf)
Federal Budget 2006
In 2006, expenditures amounted to EUR 261.0 billion, while revenues only amounted to EUR 232.8 billion, leading to a deficit of EUR 28.2 billion. Current allocations and grants to authorities and others, mainly social insurance funds, were the largest item among the expenditures, accounting for 59.1% (EUR 154.3 billion) of total expenditures in 2006. Other major items included interest expense (14.4%), and personnel expenses (10.0%). Expenditures for social welfare programs represented 51.6% of total expenditures, while investment spending accounted for 8.7%.
(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht Februar 2007, pages 50-66)
Federal Budget 2007
Following legislative approval in December 2006, the Federal Budget (Bundeshaushalt) 2007 became effective on January 1, 2007. The budget provides for estimated expenditures totaling EUR 270.5 billion, which is an increase of 3.6% compared to 2006. Revenues are projected to total EUR 250.7 billion, resulting in a deficit of EUR 19.8 billion. The deficit amounts to less than public investment spending (EUR 23.2 billion), and thus complies with the deficit ceiling provided for by the German constitution (Grundgesetz). Expenditures for social security are expected to total EUR 138.0 billion (corresponding to 51.0% of total expenditures), including EUR 78.3 billion in grants to the compulsory pension system as well as EUR 42.9 billion in unemployment benefits. Interest expense will amount to approximately EUR 39.3 billion, and personnel expenditures to EUR 26.2 billion.
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht März 2007, pages 49-74; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/bundeshaushalt2007/pdf/vorsp/zubs2007.pdf)
Tax Revenues and Other Federal Income
The 2007 federal budget is based on projected tax revenues of EUR 220.5 billion, which would represent an increase of EUR 16.6 billion, or 8.2%, compared to 2006. This increase would be mainly due to the VAT hike of three percentage points as of January 1, 2007. Other federal income included in the budget is estimated to amount to EUR 30.2 billion in 2007, an increase of EUR 1.3 billion compared to 2006. It includes,
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among other items, revenues from the freight vehicle toll as well as the profit of the Deutsche Bundesbank. Unlike in previous years, in 2006 privatizations did not contribute significantly to the Federal Republic’s total revenues.
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht März 2007, pages 49-74; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/bundeshaushalt2007/pdf/vorsp/zubs2007.pdf; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2007, pages 5-15)
Gross Domestic Product
The following tables show the structure of the Federal Republic’s real GDP at current prices by use and origin for each of the years indicated along with changes over the respective preceding period.
STRUCTURE OF GDP – USE
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
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| (EUR in billions) | | (change in %) | |
Domestic uses | 2,184.5 | | 2,125.0 | | 2,096.3 | | 2,076.0 | | 2,045.5 | | 2.8 | | 1.4 | | 1.0 | | 1.5 | |
Final private consumption | 1,348.7 | | 1,321.1 | | 1,302.9 | | 1,281.8 | | 1,263.5 | | 2.1 | | 1.4 | | 1.7 | | 1.4 | |
Final government consumption . | 426.6 | | 419.6 | | 415.1 | | 417.2 | | 411.8 | | 1.7 | | 1.1 | | (0.5 | ) | 1.3 | |
Gross fixed capital formation | 411.5 | | 386.9 | | 384.4 | | 384.7 | | 393.0 | | 6.3 | | 0.7 | | (0.1 | ) | (2.1 | ) |
Machinery and equipment | 169.6 | | 159.4 | | 151.9 | | 147.3 | | 151.9 | | 6.4 | | 5.0 | | 3.1 | | (3.0 | ) |
Construction | 215.9 | | 202.3 | | 207.9 | | 213.1 | | 216.6 | | 6.7 | | (2.7 | ) | (2.5 | ) | (1.6 | ) |
Other products | 25.9 | | 25.2 | | 24.7 | | 24.3 | | 24.5 | | 3.0 | | 2.1 | | 1.5 | | (0.9 | ) |
Changes in inventories(1) | (2.2 | ) | (2.6 | ) | (6.1 | ) | (7.7 | ) | (22.8 | ) | – | | – | | – | | – | |
Net exports(1) | 122.7 | | 116.0 | | 110.9 | | 85.5 | | 97.7 | | – | | – | | – | | – | |
Exports | 1,035.7 | | 912.3 | | 844.1 | | 770.7 | | 765.7 | | 13.5 | | 8.1 | | 9.5 | | 0.7 | |
Imports | 913.0 | | 796.3 | | 733.2 | | 685.2 | | 668.0 | | 14.7 | | 8.6 | | 7.0 | | 2.6 | |
Gross domestic product | 2,307.2 | | 2,241.0 | | 2,207.2 | | 2,161.5 | | 2,143.2 | | 3.0 | | 1.5 | | 2.1 | | 0.9 | |
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(1) | Percentage changes are not presented due to the potentially changing signs of these net positions. |
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2 – 4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007), Tables 3.1 and 3.9)
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STRUCTURE OF GDP – ORIGIN
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
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| (EUR in billions) | | (change in %) | |
Gross value added of all economic | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
sectors | 2,079.0 | | 2,022.5 | | 1,994.2 | | 1,947.1 | | 1,933.2 | | 2.8 | | 1.4 | | 2.4 | | 0.7 | |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 20.1 | | 19.9 | | 24.3 | | 21.0 | | 22.2 | | 0.9 | | (18.0 | ) | 15.7 | | (5.3 | ) |
Production sector (excluding | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
construction) | 539.7 | | 514.7 | | 493.2 | | 475.9 | | 474.7 | | 4.9 | | 4.4 | | 3.6 | | 0.2 | |
Construction | 82.3 | | 78.7 | | 82.8 | | 85.5 | | 88.8 | | 4.6 | | (4.9 | ) | (3.2 | ) | (3.8 | ) |
Trade and transport(1) | 380.4 | | 365.6 | | 357.8 | | 345.3 | | 347.6 | | 4.0 | | 2.2 | | 3.6 | | (0.7 | ) |
Financial, renting and business | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
activities | 602.0 | | 591.3 | | 582.6 | | 569.4 | | 553.4 | | 1.8 | | 1.5 | | 2.3 | | 2.9 | |
Other public and private service | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
activities | 454.5 | | 452.2 | | 453.6 | | 450.1 | | 446.5 | | 0.5 | | (0.3 | ) | 0.8 | | 0.8 | |
Taxes on products offset against | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
subsidies on products | 228.2 | | 218.5 | | 213.0 | | 214.4 | | 210.0 | | 4.4 | | 2.6 | | (0.7 | ) | 2.1 | |
Gross domestic product | 2,307.2 | | 2,241.0 | | 2,207.2 | | 2,161.5 | | 2,143.2 | | 3.0 | | 1.5 | | 2.1 | | 0.9 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | Including hotel and restaurant services as well as communication services. |
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2 – 4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007), Tables 1.13 and 2.1)
Sectors of the Economy
Production Sector
The production sector of the Federal Republic grew rapidly after 1945. The main cause for this development was the transition from a state-controlled economy to a social market economy, in which state intervention is limited to furthering social welfare and creating favorable economic conditions. Following German re-unification in 1990, industry in the eastern Länder has undergone a restructuring process. Today, the German production sector is characterized by a balanced mix of small, medium and large enterprises and is almost entirely privately owned. It is geographically concentrated in the western Länder of North-Rhine Westphalia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, and in the eastern Länder of Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. The main segments of the production sector are motor vehicle manufacturing, electrical engineering, chemicals and mechanical engineering. In 2006, the sector’s aggregate contribution to gross value added at current prices was 26.0% (excluding construction) and 30.0% (including construction).
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Table 2.2.1)
The following table shows the output of the production sector in index form using 2000 as the base year for each of the years indicated.
OUTPUT IN THE PRODUCTION SECTOR(1)
(2000 = 100)
| 2006(2) | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Production sector, total | 109.5 | | 103.7 | | 100.8 | | 98.4 | | 98.3 | |
Industry(3) | 112.9 | | 106.3 | | 102.5 | | 99.5 | | 99.3 | |
of which: | | | | | | | | | | |
Intermediate goods(4) | 114.9 | | 106.5 | | 103.3 | | 99.5 | | 98.9 | |
Capital goods(5) | 118.5 | | 111.0 | | 105.7 | | 101.9 | | 101.1 | |
Durable goods(6) | 94.0 | | 87.8 | | 87.4 | | 87.2 | | 92.0 | |
Nondurable goods(7) | 101.8 | | 101.0 | | 98.0 | | 97.4 | | 98.2 | |
Energy(8) | 102.8 | | 102.8 | | 102.7 | | 99.8 | | 97.4 | |
Construction(9) | 81.0 | | 76.1 | | 80.7 | | 84.9 | | 88.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | Adjusted for working-day variations. |
| |
(2) | Provisional figures. |
| |
(3) | Manufacturing sector, unless assigned to the main grouping energy, plus mining and quarrying. |
| |
(4) | Including mining and quarrying except energy-producing goods. |
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(5) | Including manufacture of motor vehicles and components. |
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(6) | Consumption goods that have a long-term use, such as furniture. |
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(7) | Consumption goods that have a short-term use, such as food. Including printing and service activities related to printing. |
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(8) | Electricity, gas, steam and hot water supply, mining and quarrying of energy-producing materials, and especially manufacture of refined petroleum products. |
| |
(9) | Comprises the economic classifications “Site preparation” and “Building of complete constructions or parts thereof; civil engineering.” |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table X.2)
Services Sector
As in most other industrialized countries, the services sector, which comprises trade and transport services (including hotel and restaurant services as well as communications services), financial, renting and business activities as well as other public and private service activities, has expanded rapidly in recent years and is currently the largest contributor to gross value added. In 2006, however, the sector’s aggregate contribution to gross value added at current prices declined slightly to 69.1%, which was mainly due to the strong growth in the industrial sector. Within the services sector, the segment of financial, renting and business activities represents the largest segment in terms of contribution to total gross value added, contributing 29.0% in 2006.
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2005 (March 2007), Table 2.2.1)
Employment and Labor
Following German re-unification, the unemployment rate of the combined workforce of the western and eastern Länder, calculated in accordance with the national definition of the Federal Employment Agency, rose from 7.7% in 1992, reaching a peak of 11.4% in 1997. Under the internationally comparable ILO definition, which considers only those persons as unemployed who are available and seeking work, the unemployment rate rose from 6.0% in 1992 to 8.6% in 1997. In the period 1998 to 2001, the rate decreased slightly to 9.4% under the national definition or to 6.9% under the ILO definition. In the period from 2002 to 2004, however, the unemployment rate rose again to 10.5% under the national definition or to 9.2% under the ILO definition in the wake of sluggish economic growth.
Effective January 2005, as a result of legislative measures implemented in connection with the so-called Hartz IV labor market reform, former recipients of social assistance who are able to work now receive a new form of unemployment benefits known as Arbeitslosengeld II, which is also paid to those registered as unemployed for more than a year, and, accordingly, are also registered as unemployed. This change accounts for most of the significant increase in the (seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate according to the national definition from 10.8% (December 2004) to 12.1% (March 2005). Over the same time period the unemployment rate according to the ILO definition increased only modestly from 9.2% to 9.5%. In 2006, the average unemployment rate according to the national definition was 10.8%, compared to 11.7% in 2005. Under the ILO definition, the average unemployment ra te was 8.1% in 2006 compared to 9.1% in 2005.
The number of persons resident in Germany who were either employed or self-employed in 2006 was approximately 39.0 million, which is 0.7% more compared to 2005.
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table X.6; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4. – 2006 (March 2007), Table 2.1.11)
The following table shows data with respect to employment and unemployment for each of the years indicated. In the unemployment rates shown below, persons who are participating in programs such as vocational training, job creation plans or early retirement, which are designed to reduce unemployment, particularly in the eastern Länder, are not included, since they are not treated as unemployed.
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EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Employed | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands)–ILO definition | 39,016 | | 38,726 | | 38,792 | | 38,631 | | 38,994 | |
Unemployed | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands)–ILO definition(1) | 3,432 | | 3,893 | | 3,931 | | 3,703 | | 3,229 | |
Unemployment rate | | | | | | | | | | |
(in %)–ILO definition | 8.1 | | 9.1 | | 9.2 | | 8.7 | | 7.6 | |
Unemployed | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands)–national definition(2) | 4,487 | | 4,861 | | 4,381 | | 4,377 | | 4,061 | |
Unemployment rate | | | | | | | | | | |
(in %)–national definition(3) | 10.8 | | 11.7 | | 10.5 | | 10.5 | | 9.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
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(1) | Unemployed persons, available and seeking work. |
| |
(2) | Registered unemployed persons, available and seeking work (but including persons working up to 15 hours per week). From 2005, unemployed persons include former recipients of social assistance who are able to work. |
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(3) | As a percentage of the total work force (excluding armed forces). |
(Sources: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Der Arbeits- und Ausbildungsmarkt in Deutschland: Monatsbericht Dezember und Jahr 2006, Table Arbeitsmarktzahlen 2002 bis 2006 – Bundesrepublik Deutschland; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2 – 4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007), Table 1.10)
Beginning in 1989, increasing numbers of immigrants of German descent from eastern Europe and of Germans from the former German Democratic Republic (“GDR”) resulted in an accelerated growth of the workforce and contributed, in part, to a subsequent increase in the number of registered unemployed persons. As a result of the fundamental restructuring of the eastern German economy following re-unification, a significant number of employees in the eastern Länder lost their jobs. In 2006, under the national definition, the unemployment rate in the eastern Länder was 17.3%, wheras the unemployment rate in the western Länder was 9.1%.
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table X.6)
In the past few years, gross wages and salaries per employee in Germany have experienced only moderate increases, partly as a consequence of high unemployment rates. Unit labor costs, which take into account changes in labor productivity, have even declined slightly since 2003. The following table shows changes in the wage level and unit labor costs per hour worked for each of the years indicated by reference to 2000 figures as reflected in various economic indices.
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table X.9; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2 – 4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007), Tables 2.17 and 2.20; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2005 (March 2007), Table 2.2.13)
WAGE TRENDS AND LABOR COSTS
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Gross wages and salaries per employee | | | | | | | | | | |
EUR | 26,657 | | 26,460 | | 26,394 | | 26,227 | | 25,904 | |
Change from previous year in % | 0.7 | | 0.3 | | 0.6 | | 1.2 | | 1.3 | |
Unit labor costs per hour worked | | | | | | | | | | |
Index (2000=100) | 99.3 | | 100.5 | | 101.4 | | 102.0 | | 101.2 | |
Change from previous year in % | (1.2 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (0.5 | ) | 0.7 | | 0.6 | |
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.2 – 4. Vierteljahr 2006 (February 2007), Tables 2.17 and 2.20)
Approximately one-third of the German work force is organized in unions. The German Trade Union Federation (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund) serves as an umbrella organization for eight such unions. Each member union typically covers employees of an entire industry sector, regardless of the precise type of work done by these employees (the so-called “one union, one industry” principle). As a result, employers usually deal with only one negotiating partner on the labor side in each industry sector.
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The unions and employers of each industry sector enter into collective labor agreements (Tarifverträge), typically without government intervention. As a practical matter, the Tarifverträge apply to all employees of a given industry sector, regardless of whether or not a particular employee is unionized, so long as that employee’s employer is a member of the relevant association of employers, which is typically the case. In the eastern Länder, unions and employers have agreed on Tarifverträge that provide for a gradual increase in wages and salaries with a view to adjusting them over time to the levels paid in the western Länder. Tarifverträge are binding on both unions and employers. Despite their binding character, however, there is a wide range of deviations from these agreements that allow for individually adjusted agreements between employer and employee, particularly in the eastern Länder. Many employers in the eastern Länder are no longer members of employers’ associations, in which case wages are individually negotiated, which often results in wage levels that are lower than those provided for by the Tarifverträge.
Several German laws contain provisions that regulate labor disputes. These laws provide, for example, that any strike be approved by a vote of three-quarters of the members of the competent trade union. As a result, and also due to a comparatively high level of social security, there are relatively few strikes in the Federal Republic compared to other countries.
Social Security Legislation and Social Policy
The comprehensive system of social security legislation and services in effect in the Federal Republic includes health insurance, nursing care insurance, retirement and disability pensions, unemployment benefits, child welfare programs, care for physically and mentally handicapped persons, allowances to orphans and to single persons with dependents, and the provision of general public assistance to needy persons. The majority of the German population is covered by mandatory statutory retirement pension and health insurance. Most of the hospitals and institutions caring for children and handicapped persons are operated by municipalities, churches and charitable institutions.
Two-thirds of the financing of the various social security programs mentioned above is funded through social security contributions from employers and employees, and one-third is funded through direct contributions by the Federal Republic, the Länder, municipalities and other public institutions. The most important part of the social security system – retirement pensions, health insurance and unemployment insurance – is funded primarily through equal contributions by employers and employees.
The Federal Republic’s statutory retirement insurance system operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, with the contributions from current employers and employees funding payments to current retired persons. Certain persons, including members of certain professions, and civil servants, may either apply for exemption or are automatically exempted from mandatory participation in the statutory retirement pension insurance system. They may instead contribute to private pension schemes or, in the case of civil servants, benefit from special pension schemes for civil servants. The Retirement Funds Act (Altersvermögensgesetz) aims to ensure the long-term viability of the statutory retirement pension insurance system by encouraging insurees to also sign-up for designated private funded or corporate pension schemes, for which certain bonus payments and tax incentives are provided, with a view to offsetting the expected decline of payments from the statutory retirement pension insurance.
Statutory health insurance coverage must be made available to all persons fulfilling the applicable eligibility criteria. Within the statutory health insurance system, insurees may choose between a large number of statutory health insurance providers that have developed historically. Persons whose gross income exceeds certain thresholds as well as civil servants, self-employed persons and members of certain professions may opt out of the statutory system and choose private health insurance coverage. Contributions to the statutory health insurance system are based solely on the insuree’s income situation and are independent of the insuree’s gender, age and medical risk. By contrast, contributions towards private health insurance coverage until very recently were calculated solely based on the insuree’s gender, age, medical risk and the desired level of coverage.
In 2006, social security revenues amounted to EUR 473.1 billion, and expenditures were EUR 469.1 billion. The social security budget thus incurred a surplus of EUR 3.9 billion in 2006, the first surplus after six years of deficits. By contrast, in 2005, the social security funds received revenues in an aggregate amount of EUR 468.0 billion as shown in the national accounts, thus incurring a deficit of EUR 3.4 billion.
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(Sources: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Table 3.4.3.7; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht Februar 2007; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht März 2007)
In light of globalization, which leads to increased cost competition, and a changing population structure, the Federal Government is aware that further structural reforms must be implemented in order to safeguard the sustainability of the social security system in the long term. The restructuring and renewal of the welfare state was part of the previous government’s “Agenda 2010”. The current Federal Government is continuing this reform policy. Among the more important reforms are the reforms of the health insurance and retirement pension systems as well as the introduction of a special income benefit for young parents (described below). There are also early stage plans for a reform of the statutory nursing care insurance.
The health care reform has already been approved by the legislature, and the various measures will be implemented between April 2007 and January 2009. The reforms aim at increasing competition within the statutory health insurance system as well as among private health insurance providers. In the future, all persons resident in Germany will be required to obtain health insurance and every private health insurance provider will be required to offer a basic tariff that is comparable to the basic tariff offered by the statutory health insurance providers without a prior risk screening. Statutory health insurance providers will also be able to offer a wider range of tariffs. In addition, further measures will be introduced to contain the increasing costs of pharmaceuticals. At the heart of the reform, however, is the so-called “health fund” (Gesundheitsfonds). Within the statutory health insurance system, the fund will collect the contributions and distribute them – adjusted for varying risk structures of the insuree pools – in equal amounts per capita among the statutory health insurance providers. If an insurance provider requires additional funds, it will be required to collect additional contributions from the insurees.
The most recent reform to the statutory retirement pension insurance system was legislation adopted at the end of March 2007 to gradually increase the regular retirement age by two years to the age of 67 between 2012 and 2029. This is an important step in meeting the growing financing needs of the statutory retirement pension insurance system in light of the aging of the German population. With this measure the Federal Government hopes to be able to keep the rate of contribution to the system at below 20% of gross salaries in the long run. In addition, the Federal Government continues to promote private as well as corporate pension schemes.
Starting in 2007, new rules on the so-called Elterngeld (parental money) have entered into effect. Under the new rules, the state pays up to two-thirds of the last net income (capped at a payment of EUR 1,800 per month) to the parent who temporarily leaves his or her job to take care of a new-born child for a period of up to 14 months. This measure is intended to induce more working couples to have children and, in so doing, to partially counter the adverse demographic trend. Estimated costs of the Elterngeld are expected to amount to EUR 1.6 billion in 2007.
(Sources: http://www.die-gesundheitsreform.de/gesundheitspolitik/gesundheitsreform_2007/index.htm; http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_66132/Content/DE/StatischeSeiten/Breg/Reformprojekte/gesundheit-und-rente-2006-08-16-rente-2.html;
Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht März 2007, page 51;
http://www.die-gesundheitsreform.de/glossar/gesetzliche_krankenversicherung.html;
http://www.die-gesundheitsreform.de/glossar/krankenkasse.html;
http://www.die-gesundheitsreform.de/glossar/private_krankenversicherung.html;
http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_66124/Content/DE/StatischeSeiten/Breg/Reformprojekte/familienpolitik-2006-08-21-elterngeld-1.htm; http://www.bundesrat.de/cln_050/nn_8538/DE/presse/pm/2007/034-2007.html?__nnn=true)
International Economic Relations
International economic relations are of major importance to the German economy. In 2006, exports and imports of goods and services amounted to 44.9% and 39.6% of GDP at current prices, respectively. The Federal Republic pursues a liberal foreign trade policy aimed at dismantling tariffs and other barriers to trade.
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe1.4-2006 (March 2007), Table 2.3.13)
Because the Federal Republic’s economy depends on exports, it is particularly vulnerable to trade barriers, such as protective tariffs. The Federal Government supports, therefore, efforts to reduce trade barriers,
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such as through the current negotiations by the World Trade Organization under the Doha Development Agenda.
(Source: http://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Navigation/Aussenwirtschaft/handelspolitik-eu-wto.html)
Balance of Payments
The Federal Republic typically achieves a surplus in the trading of goods. Traditionally, this surplus has been partially offset by deficits in other fields, such as in services, as well as by remittances by foreign employees to their home countries, the Federal Republic’s net payments to the EU and various other payments. Throughout most of the 1980s, the trade surplus more than offset these other deficits, resulting in positive current account balances. During the period from 1991 to 2000, factors such as increases in expenditures for services and in transfer payments, a rise in oil prices as well as structural readjustments of the capital markets in connection with the introduction of the euro outweighed the trade surplus and resulted in persistent current account deficits. Since 2001, however, the Federal Republic has again returned to current account surpluses. In 2006, the current account surplus totaled EUR 116.6 billion.
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report March 2001, pages 63, 67 and Table X.2; Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report March 2007, Table XI.2)
Between July 2001 and March 2007, the euro appreciated by approximately 46% against the US dollar and, at times, by even more than 55%. Appreciation of the euro raised concerns that Germany’s export growth could weaken. The negative impact of the euro’s increasing external value on the German economy was, however, mitigated by the fact that other EMU countries accounted for 43% of German exports in 2006. Accordingly, a major part of German exports was not directly affected by depreciation of the dollar and, according to data of the Deutsche Bundesbank, based on consumer prices, Germany’s price competitiveness with respect to 19 industrial countries has only decreased by 8.9% since 2001. A stronger currency may also have a positive impact on the domestic economy as lower import prices mitigate consumer price inflation and the increase of oil prices.
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht Dezember 2002, Tables X.11 and X.13; Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Tables XI.3, XI.11 and XI.13)
The following table shows the Federal Republic’s balance of payments for each of the years indicated.
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS (BALANCES)(1)
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in millions) | |
Current account(2) | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign trade(3) | 162,156 | | 158,179 | | 156,096 | | 129,921 | | 132,788 | |
Supplementary trade items | (18,640 | ) | (18,501 | ) | (16,990 | ) | (11,142 | ) | (8,552 | ) |
Services(4) | (23,132 | ) | (28,880 | ) | (29,419 | ) | (34,497 | ) | (35,728 | ) |
Factor income | 22,973 | | 20,779 | | 13,091 | | (15,067 | ) | (18,019 | ) |
Current transfers | (26,795 | ) | (28,524 | ) | (27,879 | ) | (28,283 | ) | (27,514 | ) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total current account | 116,563 | | 103,054 | | 94,899 | | 40,931 | | 42,976 | |
Capital transfers and purchases/sales of intangible non- | | | | | | | | | | |
produced assets | (192 | ) | (1,270 | ) | 430 | | 311 | | (212 | ) |
Capital account | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net capital (capital export)(5) | (146,343 | ) | (119,385 | ) | (117,968 | ) | (61,770 | ) | (38,448 | ) |
of which: | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net German investment abroad | | | | | | | | | | |
(increase/capital exports–negative figure) | (435,682 | ) | (377,791 | ) | (263,926 | ) | (207,409 | ) | (256,437 | ) |
Total net foreign investment in Germany | | | | | | | | | | |
(increase/capital imports–positive figure) | 289,339 | | 258,406 | | 145,958 | | 145,638 | | 217,989 | |
Balance of unclassifiable transactions | 29,972 | | 17,601 | | 22,639 | | 20,528 | | (4,316 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | Figures are subject to considerable uncertainty owing to changes in the method of data collection in foreign trade. |
| |
(2) | Foreign trade and services are recorded on the basis of exports (f.o.b.)/imports (c.i.f.), i.e., including the freight and insurance costs of imports. |
| |
(3) | Special trade according to the official foreign trade statistics. Special trade consists principally of goods that are imported into the Federal Republic for use, consumption, adaptation or processing, as well as goods that are produced, manufactured, adapted or processed in the Federal Republic and are exported. The reported figures are based on exports (f.o.b.) and imports (c.i.f.). (Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2006, page 461). |
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(4) | Excluding the freight and insurance costs included in the c.i.f. import value. |
| |
(5) | Including change of currency reserves. |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Balance of payments statistics, March 2007, Tables I.1 and I.9.a)
Balance of Trade
The following tables show information relating to foreign trade of the Federal Republic for each of the years indicated:
FOREIGN TRADE OF GOODS
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Exports of goods (f.o.b.) | 893,635 | | 786,266 | | 731,544 | | 664,455 | | 651,320 | |
Imports of goods (c.i.f.) | 731,479 | | 628,087 | | 575,448 | | 534,534 | | 518,532 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Trade surplus | 162,156 | | 158,179 | | 156,096 | | 129,921 | | 132,788 | |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Balance of payments statistics, March 2007, Table I.1)
The Federal Republic’s principal export goods are motor vehicles, machinery of all kinds, and electrical engineering and chemical products.
The principal import goods are chemical products, motor vehicles, crude petroleum and natural gas, machinery and metals. The Federal Republic has relatively few resources of industrial raw materials. As a result, it largely depends on imports to satisfy its demand for raw materials. This dependence on foreign supplies is particularly significant in the case of metals such as copper, bauxite, manganese, titanium, rock phosphate, tungsten and tin. The Federal Republic currently imports nearly two-thirds of its energy requirements, including virtually all of its oil and a significant portion of its natural gas requirements as well as all enriched uranium needed for nuclear energy.
COMPOSITION OF EXPORTED AND IMPORTED GOODS
| 2006(1) | |
| Exports | | Imports | |
|
| |
| |
| (EUR in billions) | |
| | | | |
Total | 896.0 | | 731.5 | |
of which: | | | | |
Coal and lignite | 0.2 | | 2.6 | |
Crude petroleum and natural gas | 3.3 | | 67.8 | |
Food products and beverages | 30.5 | | 31.3 | |
Textiles | 11.5 | | 12.4 | |
Wearing apparel, products of dressing and dyeing of fur | 8.9 | | 17.4 | |
Pulp, paper and paper products | 17.1 | | 12.8 | |
Coke, refined petroleum products and nuclear fuel | 14.8 | | 18.0 | |
Chemicals and chemical products | 117.4 | | 80.8 | |
Basic metals | 54.3 | | 53.2 | |
Fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment | 28.6 | | 16.0 | |
Machinery and equipment | 126.2 | | 49.4 | |
Office machinery and computers | 23.9 | | 31.5 | |
Electrical machinery and apparatus | 44.5 | | 29.0 | |
Radio, television and communication equipment, electronic components | 37.8 | | 45.1 | |
Medical, precision and optical instruments, watches and clocks | 37.8 | | 20.5 | |
Motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers | 165.8 | | 70.5 | |
| | | | |
(Source: http://www.destatis.de/basis/e/aussh/aushtab2.htm, last update March 8, 2007)
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FOREIGN TRADE (SPECIAL TRADE) BY GROUPS OF COUNTRIES AND COUNTRIES(1)
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in millions) | |
Exports to: | | | | | | |
Total | 893,635 | | 786,266 | | 731,544 | |
France | 86,093 | | 79,039 | | 74,360 | |
United States | 78,011 | | 69,299 | | 64,860 | |
United Kingdom | 65,341 | | 60,394 | | 59,986 | |
Italy | 59,971 | | 53,855 | | 51,479 | |
The Netherlands | 55,877 | | 49,033 | | 46,730 | |
Belgium/Luxembourg | 53,571 | | 47,512 | | 43,992 | |
Austria | 48,921 | | 43,305 | | 40,244 | |
Spain | 42,159 | | 40,018 | | 36,249 | |
Southeast Asia(2) | 31,584 | | 27,538 | | 26,838 | |
China(3) | 27,521 | | 21,235 | | 20,992 | |
Japan | 13,861 | | 13,338 | | 12,719 | |
Imports from: | | | | | | |
Total | 731,479 | | 628,087 | | 575,448 | |
France | 63,490 | | 53,700 | | 51,535 | |
The Netherlands | 60,519 | | 51,823 | | 46,204 | |
China(3) | 48,751 | | 40,845 | | 32,791 | |
United States | 48,517 | | 41,798 | | 40,709 | |
United Kingdom | 42,829 | | 39,069 | | 34,466 | |
Italy | 40,326 | | 36,348 | | 35,676 | |
Belgium/Luxembourg | 38,704 | | 31,426 | | 28,818 | |
Southeast Asia(2) | 33,956 | | 31,520 | | 30,012 | |
Austria | 29,895 | | 26,048 | | 24,020 | |
Japan | 23,720 | | 21,772 | | 21,583 | |
Spain | 19,520 | | 18,070 | | 17,426 | |
| |
|
(1) | Exports (f.o.b.) by country of destination, imports (c.i.f.) by country of origin. Special trade consists mainly of goods that are imported into the Federal Republic for use, consumption, adaptation or processing, as well as goods that are produced, manufactured, adapted or processed in the Federal Republic and subsequently exported. (Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2006, page 461). |
| |
(2) | Includes Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. |
| |
(3) | Excludes Hong Kong. |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table XI.3)
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MONETARY AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM
Background of the European System of Central Banks
The European System of Central Banks (“ESCB”) comprises the European Central Bank (“ECB”) and the national central banks of the 27 Member States of the EU, while the Eurosystem consists of the ECB and the national central banks of the 13 Member States that have adopted the euro as their legal currency, being Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia.
The Eurosystem is responsible for the single monetary policy for the euro area. Its decision-making bodies are the Governing Council and the Executive Board of the ECB. The national central banks of the Member States that are not part of the Eurosystem are represented in the Governing Council, but have no voting right in the decision-making process. The Eurosystem’s primary objective is to maintain price stability. It supports the general economic policies of the EU.
The Deutsche Bundesbank – Germany’s national central bank within the ESCB – has the responsibility of implementing the single monetary policy in Germany and continues to perform various other tasks, including acting as the Federal Government’s fiscal agent and playing an important role in banking and financial market supervision, as further described below under the caption “– Financial System.”
(Sources: European Central Bank, Annual Report 2004, pages 162-168;
http://www.ecb.int/press/pr/date/2007/html/pr070102.en.html; www.bundesbank.de/aufgaben/aufgaben.en.php)
Monetary Policy Instruments of the ESCB
To achieve its operational goals, the ESCB conducts open market operations, offers standing facilities and requires credit institutions to maintain minimum reserves in accounts with the ESCB. Open market operations play an important role in the ESCB’s monetary policy because they steer interest rates and manage the liquidity situation in the market. Available open market operations are reverse transactions, outright transactions, the issuance of debt certificates or foreign exchange swaps, and the collection of fixed-term deposits. Standing facilities are designed to provide or absorb overnight liquidity and the imposition of minimum reserve requirements allows the ESCB to stabilize money market interest rates, create (or enlarge) a structural liquidity shortage and possibly contribute to the control of monetary expansion.
(Sources: European Central Bank, Annual Report 1999, pages 48-54;
http://www.ecb.int/pub/pdf/other/gendoc2006en.pdf)
Money Supply and Prices
The ECB’s primary goal is to maintain medium-term price stability, which is defined as a year-on-year increase in the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices for the euro area of less than 2%. However, the ECB has clarified that, within this definition, it aims at an inflation rate close to 2%. This goal indicates the commitment to provide an adequate margin to avoid the risk of deflation. The stability-oriented monetary policy strategy of the Eurosystem used by the ECB to achieve this goal is based on two pillars: (i) analysis and assessment of short- to medium-term risks to price stability (economic analysis); and (ii) assessment of medium- to long-term monetary developments (monetary analysis), including a “natural” benchmark (reference value for the euro area money supply M3). The euro area money supply M3 is broadly defined as the sum total of currency in circulation, overnight deposits, deposits with an agreed maturity of up to t wo years, deposits redeemable at up to three months’ notice, repurchase agreements, money market fund shares/units, money market papers, and debt securities with a term of up to two years. Holdings by non-residents of the euro area of money market fund shares/units, money market papers and debt securities with a term of up to two years are excluded from M3 and its components. The Governing Council has set the reference value for M3 at 4.5% growth per annum. In January 2007, the annual growth rate of euro area money supply M3 was 9.8%, thereby markedly exceeding the reference value. The latest monetary data support the view that the high level of annual M3 growth stems from the low level of interest rates in the euro area and, as is evidenced by the continuing robust loan growth, the high level of economic activity.
(Sources: European Central Bank, Monthly Bulletin, January 1999, pages 45-50, Monthly Bulletin, March 2007, page 15; http://www.ecb.int/pub/pdf/other/monetarypolicy2004en.pdf, pages 50 ff.)
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The following table shows price trends in Germany for the periods indicated.
PRICE TRENDS
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (change from previous year in %) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) | 1.8 | | 1.9 | | 1.8 | | 1.0 | | 1.4 | |
Consumer price index (CPI) | 1.7 | | 2.0 | | 1.6 | | 1.1 | | 1.4 | |
Index of producer prices of industrial products | | | | | | | | | | |
sold on the domestic market(1) | 5.5 | | 4.6 | | 1.6 | | 1.7 | | (0.6) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | Excluding value-added tax. |
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report February 2007, Table X.7;
http://www.destatis.de/indicators/d/vpi120jd.htm, last update January 17, 2007)
The following table shows the principal indicators relating to money supply for each of the years indicated.
MAIN MONETARY INDICATORS
| At December 31,(1) | |
|
| |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in billions) | |
Currency in circulation(2) | 578.3 | | 520.4 | | 456.4 | | 388.7 | | 331.9 | |
Money Stock M1 | 3,677.3 | | 3,424.9 | | 2,909.5 | | 2,678.5 | | 2,444.9 | |
Money Stock M2 | 6,631.3 | | 6,075.5 | | 5,570.0 | | 5,232.4 | | 4,915.7 | |
Money Stock M3 | 7,719.6 | | 7,069.1 | | 6,534.6 | | 6,141.6 | | 5,767.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Annual change based on year-end comparison in % (3) | |
Money Stock M1 | 7.5 | | 11.4 | | 8.9 | | 10.6 | | 9.9 | |
Money Stock M2 | 9.4 | | 8.5 | | 6.7 | | 7.6 | | 6.7 | |
Money Stock M3 | 9.8 | | 7.3 | | 6.6 | | 7.1 | | 7.0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | Monetary aggregates comprise monetary liabilities of Monetary Financial Institutions (“MFIs”) and central government (post office, treasury) vis-à-vis non-MFI euro area residents excluding central government. M1 is the sum of currency in circulation and overnight deposits; M2 is the sum of M1, deposits with an agreed maturity of up to two years and deposits redeemable at notice of up to three months; and M3 is the sum of M2, repos, money market fund shares/units and debt securities with a term of up to two years. |
| |
(2) | Excluding credit institutions’ cash in hand, including notes and coins held abroad. |
| |
(3) | Annual changes of euro area M3 are calculated from monthly differences in levels adjusted for reclassification, other revaluations, exchange rate variations and any other changes which do not arise from transactions. |
(Sources: European Central Bank, Monthly Bulletin, March 2007, Tables 2.3.1, 2.3.2; European Central Bank, Monthly Bulletin, May 2006, Tables 2.3.1, 2.3.2; European Central Bank, Monthly Bulletin May 2005, Tables 2.3.1, 2.3.2)
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Official Foreign Exchange Reserves
The following table shows the breakdown of the Federal Republic’s official foreign exchange reserves as of the end of the years indicated.
OFFICIAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC(1)
| As of December 31, | |
|
| |
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in millions) | |
Gold | 53,114 | | 47,924 | | 35,495 | | 36,533 | | 36,208 | |
Foreign currency balances | 28,640 | | 33,708 | | 29,292 | | 32,538 | | 40,522 | |
International Monetary Fund | | | | | | | | | | |
Reserve position and special | | | | | | | | | | |
drawing rights | 3,011 | | 4,549 | | 6,548 | | 7,609 | | 8,272 | |
Total | 84,765 | | 86,181 | | 71,335 | | 76,680 | | 85,002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | External position of the Deutsche Bundesbank in the EMU. Assets and liabilities vis-à-vis all EMU member countries and non-EMU member countries. |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table XI.9)
The Federal Republic’s foreign reserve assets are currently managed by the Deutsche Bundesbank. The 13 Member States participating in the EMU have transferred foreign reserve assets in an aggregate amount equivalent to approximately EUR 40.0 billion to the ECB, consisting of foreign currency reserves and gold. The ECB manages the foreign reserve assets transferred to it. The foreign reserve assets not transferred to the ECB continue to be held and managed by the national central banks of the 13 participating Member States. In order to ensure consistency within the single monetary and foreign exchange policies of the EMU, the ECB monitors and coordinates market transactions conducted with those assets.
(Sources: European Central Bank, Annual Report 1998, page 74; European Central Bank, Annual Accounts 2006, page 4 and page 26, http://www.ecb.int/pub/annual/html/index.en.html)
External Positions of Banks
The following table shows the external assets and liabilities of the Deutsche Bundesbank and the commercial banks of the Federal Republic as of the end of each of the years indicated.
FOREIGN FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES BY SECTOR
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in billions) | |
Deutsche Bundesbank | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets | 104.4 | | 130.3 | | 93.1 | | 95.4 | | 103.9 | |
Liabilities | 4.8 | | 6.3 | | 7.9 | | 10.4 | | 9.0 | |
Net position | 99.6 | | 124.0 | | 85.2 | | 85.0 | | 94.9 | |
Banks | | | | | | | | | | |
Loans to foreign banks | 1,266.9 | | 1,038.8 | | 889.4 | | 769.6 | | 690.6 | |
Loans to foreign non-banks | 777.0 | | 712.0 | | 629.5 | | 576.3 | | 558.8 | |
Loans from foreign banks | 689.7 | | 651.7 | | 603.3 | | 590.7 | | 614.2 | |
Loans from foreign non-banks | 310.1 | | 316.4 | | 311.2 | | 307.3 | | 319.2 | |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Tables IV.4 and XI.9)
Foreign Exchange Rates and Controls
The euro is a freely convertible currency. Since its introduction, the euro has become the second most widely used currency internationally. Currency transactions do not require licenses or other permissions. Capital market transactions are equally not subject to any license or similar requirements. Gold may be imported and exported freely, subject only to the levy of VAT on some transactions.
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The following table shows the exchange rates for selected currencies in relation to the euro for the past five years.
ANNUAL AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATES OF THE EURO(1)
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
U.S. dollars per euro | 1.2556 | | 1.2441 | | 1.2439 | | 1.1312 | | 0.9456 | |
Pound sterling per euro | 0.68173 | | 0.68380 | | 0.67866 | | 0.69199 | | 0.62883 | |
Japanese yen per euro | 146.02 | | 136.85 | | 134.44 | | 130.97 | | 118.06 | |
Swiss franc per euro | 1.5729 | | 1.5483 | | 1.5438 | | 1.5212 | | 1.4670 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | Calculated from daily values. |
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report February 2007, Table XI.11)
Financial System
As of January 31, 2007, 2,038 financial institutions in Germany reported an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 7,226.6 billion to the Deutsche Bundesbank. According to the Deutsche Bundesbank’s classification, these institutions included 254 commercial banks with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 2,077.3 billion and 138 subsidiaries and branches of foreign banks located in the Federal Republic with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 802.3 billion.
In addition to the commercial banks, there were 449 savings banks and their 12 regional institutions, and 16 special purpose credit institutions. As of January 31, 2007, the aggregate balance sheet total of the savings banks was EUR 1,009.5 billion, and the aggregate balance sheet total of their 12 regional institutions was EUR 1,454.5 billion. The aggregate balance sheet total of the special purpose credit institutions was EUR 773.4 billion.
The Federal Republic’s banking system also includes 1,257 credit cooperatives (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 603.6 billion as of January 31, 2007) and their two central institutions (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 242.4 billion), 22 mortgage banks (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 871.9 billion) and 26 building and loan associations (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 194.1 billion).
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table IV.2)
All banks other than the Deutsche Bundesbank and KfW are regulated by the German Banking Act. German commercial banking institutions operate as “universal” banks and are not restricted by law or otherwise from offering a complete range of diverse financial services.
The Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) is responsible for integrated financial services supervision, which aims to address the needs of the capital markets for the protection of investors and insured persons, to enable financial services providers to install more adequate cross-sector risk-management tools and to strengthen the competitiveness of the German financial markets, especially in respect of competition with other European countries. The Deutsche Bundesbank is closely involved in the ongoing supervision of the banking sector by the Financial Supervisory Authority.
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, press release dated March 22, 2002; Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, press release dated April 29, 2002; Deutsche Bundesbank and Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, joint press release dated November 4, 2002)
Securities Market
The Federal Republic’s securities market is among Europe’s largest. Trading in listed securities is not legally or otherwise confined to the stock exchanges. It is estimated, however, that most transactions in equity securities are executed through stock exchanges. By contrast, debt securities, although typically listed, are predominantly traded over-the-counter.
Highly developed secondary markets, combined with the distribution capabilities of an extensive network of commercial banks, provide the basis for the Federal Republic’s position in the world’s capital
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markets. Equity and debt issues are generally underwritten and distributed through banking syndicates, which typically include commercial banks as well as certain regional and specialized institutions. The official securities markets of Berlin-Bremen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich and Stuttgart and the futures and options exchange Eurex Deutschland are recognized as regulated markets of the EU according to Article 16 of the Investment Services Directive 93/22/EEC (starting from November 1, 2007, Art. 47 of Directive 2004/39/EC on Markets in Financial Instruments) and comply with worldwide accepted regulation standards.
In 2006, sales of debt securities and shares amounted to EUR 243.7 billion and EUR 24.0 billion, respectively. The most important stock exchange in the Federal Republic is the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, operated by Deutsche Börse AG. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange had a total turnover of EUR 4,349.2 billion in 2006, accounting for 86.9% of the total turnover on German securities exchanges.
(Sources: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table VII.1; Deutsche Börse, Cash Market: Monthly Statistics – February 2007, page 3)
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PUBLIC FINANCE
Receipts and Expenditures
The Federal Government, each of the Länder governments and each of the municipalities (Gemeinden) have separate budgets. The federal budget is the largest single public budget.
The fiscal year of the Federal Republic is the calendar year. The annual federal budget is passed by an act of Parliament. On the basis of a proposal prepared by the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Government introduces the Federal Budget Bill to the Parliament, generally in the fall of each year. The proposal has to pass through three Bundestag sessions, the budget committee of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, which deliberates the proposal twice. The final vote on the proposal is taken by the Bundestag in its third session.
In addition to the federal, Länder and municipal budgets, there are separate budgets of the social security system and various special funds (Sondervermögen) of the federal administration that are created for specific public purposes.
In 2006, total consolidated public sector receipts as shown in the national accounts amounted to EUR 1,015.0 billion, with tax receipts of EUR 530.2 billion and social security contributions of EUR 401.0 billion.
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Table 3.4.3.2)
In 2006, turnover taxes (i.e., VAT and import-turnover tax) and income taxes amounted to EUR 146.7 billion and EUR 182.6 billion, respectively. In addition to these taxes, the Federal Government, the Länder governments and the municipal authorities each levied special taxes, for example on tobacco, beer and motor vehicles. The joint taxes are distributed among the Federal Government, the Länder governments and municipal authorities, according to a predetermined formula.
(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monatsbericht März 2007, Table IX.6)
Consolidated public sector expenditures in 2006, as shown in the national accounts, amounted to a total of EUR 1,054.6 billion. The most significant consolidated public sector expenditures were social transfers and benefits (EUR 600.9 billion) and employee compensation (EUR 167.5 billion). Other significant consolidated public sector expenditures included intermediate consumption, which totaled EUR 98.3 billion, interest on public debt (EUR 64.9 billion), and gross capital formation (EUR 32.5 billion).
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe1.4-2006 (March 2007), Table 3.4.3.2)
The general government deficit shown in the national accounts decreased from EUR 72.6 billion in 2005 to EUR 39.5 billion in 2006. In 2006, the general government deficit was 1.7% of GDP. See “The Economy — Germany’s General Government Deficit, the Stability Program and the Excessive Deficit Procedure” above.
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4–2006 (March 2007), Table 2.1.10)
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PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTS(1)
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in billions) | |
Federal Government, Länder governments and municipalities | | | | | | | | | | |
Receipts | 633.4 | | 598.3 | | 579.7 | | 584.0 | | 580.0 | |
of which: Taxes(2) | 530.2 | | 493.0 | | 481.2 | | 481.8 | | 477.5 | |
Expenditures | 676.9 | | 667.4 | | 660.7 | | 663.3 | | 651.5 | |
Balance | (43.5 | ) | (69.2 | ) | (81.1 | ) | (79.3 | ) | (71.5 | ) |
Social security | | | | | | | | | | |
Receipts | 473.1 | | 468.0 | | 467.3 | | 467.7 | | 458.9 | |
Expenditures | 469.2 | | 471.5 | | 468.6 | | 475.4 | | 465.7 | |
Balance | 3.9 | | (3.4 | ) | (1.4 | ) | (7.7 | ) | (6.8 | ) |
Consolidated public sector | | | | | | | | | | |
Receipts | 1,015.0 | | 975.9 | | 957.1 | | 961.2 | | 952.5 | |
Expenditures | 1,054.6 | | 1,048.5 | | 1,039.6 | | 1,048.2 | | 1,030.8 | |
Balance | (39.5 | ) | (72.6 | ) | (82.5 | ) | (87.0 | ) | (78.3 | ) |
|
(1) | Definition according to the national accounts. |
(2) | Excluding taxes of domestic sectors to EU. |
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4 – 2006 (March 2007), Tables 3.4.3.2, 3.4.3.3, 3.4.3.7)
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTS(1)
| 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in billions) | |
Receipts | 292.9 | | 276.9 | | 261.7 | | 276.6 | | 270.0 | |
of which: Taxes(2) | 262.9 | | 248.1 | | 240.2 | | 245.8 | | 241.2 | |
Expenditures | 327.8 | | 324.7 | | 313.9 | | 316.3 | | 306.0 | |
Total balance | (34.9 | ) | (47.7 | ) | (52.2 | ) | (39.7 | ) | (36.0 | ) |
|
(1) | Definition according to the national accounts. |
(2) | Excluding taxes of domestic sectors to EU. |
(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe 1.4 – 2006 (March 2007), Table 3.4.3.4)
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES(1)
| 2008(2) | | 2007(3) | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in billions) | |
Expenditures total | 274.3 | | 270.5 | | 261.0 | | 259.8 | | 251.6 | |
Selected categories: | | | | | | | | | | |
Education, science, research, cultural affairs | 13.0 | | 13.2 | | 12.0 | | 11.4 | | 11.0 | |
Social security(4) | 133.4 | | 138.0 | | 134.5 | | 133.0 | | 120.6 | |
Defense | 28.5 | | 28.2 | | 27.8 | | 27.8 | | 27.7 | |
Transportation and communication | 10.6 | | 11.0 | | 11.0 | | 11.1 | | 10.1 | |
General financing | 43.3 | | 40.0 | | 38.4 | | 38.5 | | 39.6 | |
of which: Debt service | 41.5 | | 39.3 | | 37.5 | | 37.4 | | 36.3 | |
Other expenditures | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign affairs | 6.7 | | 6.5 | | 6.0 | | 5.9 | | 5.6 | |
Health, environment and sport and recreation | 0.9 | | 0.9 | | 0.9 | | 0.9 | | 0.9 | |
Housing, regional planning and municipal | | | | | | | | | | |
community services | 1.9 | | 2.0 | | 1.5 | | 1.8 | | 1.8 | |
Food, agriculture and forestry | 1.0 | | 1.0 | | 0.9 | | 1.0 | | 1.0 | |
|
(1) | The information presented in this table concerning expenditures is not comparable to the information concerning expenditures presented in the table “Federal Government Accounts” because the information is derived from different sources and results from different methods of data compilation. |
(2) | Target figures according to the Medium Term Financing Plan (Status: August 2006). |
(3) | Target figures according to the Federal Budget Plan 2007 (Status: January 2007). |
(4) | Predominantly subsidies to the pension insurance and the unemployment insurance system. |
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2007, Table 2, page 223; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht Februar 2006, Tabelle 5, pp. 120-123;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/bundeshaushalt2007/pdf/vorsp/vsp_m.pdf)
Tax Structure
Income Tax
The Federal Government’s largest sources of revenue are the various kinds of income taxes (e.g., wage tax, corporate income tax, capital gains tax and solidarity surcharge). Employees pay taxes on their income from employment in the form of wage taxes, which employers are required to deduct from employees’ salaries or wages and pay directly to the tax authorities. By contrast, self-employed persons typically pay estimated taxes during the year before filing their annual income tax return.
The income tax payable with respect to taxable income generated during the 2007 fiscal year is calculated on the basis of (i) a personal allowance in the amount of EUR 7,664 for single persons/EUR 15,328 for married couples that applies to all taxpayers, (ii) progressive tax brackets ranging from 15% to 42%, (iii) a flat rate of 42% for income of EUR 52,152 or more for single persons/EUR 104,304 or more for married couples, and (iv) with effect from January 1, 2007, a new maximum tax bracket of 45% for income of EUR 250,000 or more for single persons/EUR 500,000 or more for married couples resulting from all types of income (except commercial earnings). In addition, a solidarity surcharge of 5.5% is imposed on the applicable income tax rate – with certain allowances – to finance the restructuring processes in the eastern Länder.
Capital income received by domestic taxpayers is subject to capital gains tax (Kapitalertragsteuer) at a rate of 30% for interest payments (over-the-counter 35%) and 20% for dividend payments, subject to an allowance (Sparerfreibetrag) in the amount of EUR 750 (EUR 1,500 for married couples). The tax withheld is credited against a taxpayer’s income tax liability. In the case of dividend payments, only half of the distributed
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profits of a corporation are included in the shareholders’ personal income for withholding tax purposes (“half income system”). Private shareholders’ gains from sales of shares in corporations are tax-exempt if the shares have been held for a minimum period of one year (unless the share represents a “substantial interest” defined as 1% or more of the share capital) or if the gain from the sale does not exceed the tax-free allowance in the amount of EUR 512. If the shares are sold during the one-year holding period or represent a substantial interest and the gain exceeds the tax-free allowance and the sale is, therefore, subject to tax, the half-income system applies.
On January 1, 2005, the Old Age Income Act (Alterseinkünftegesetz) entered into force. This act incorporates provisions on the income tax treatment of pension payments and contributions to pension schemes which will result in the gradual transition to a system of deferred taxation of pensions, with the share of the pension payments that is subject to income tax increasing from 50% in the year 2005 to 100% by the year 2040. In exchange, pension insurance contributions, beginning at 60% in the year 2005 and increasing gradually until 2025 up to 100 % with a maximum limit of EUR 20,000 per year (EUR 40,000 per year for married couples), will become fully exempt from tax. Since tax exemption for pension insurance contributions will be fully implemented by the year 2025, whereas the deferred taxation of pension benefits will not reach 100% until the year 2040, German taxpayer s will, in effect, receive considerable tax relief.
Income generated by corporations is subject to corporate income tax (Körperschaftsteuer) at a flat rate of 25%. Capital gains from the sale of shareholdings from one corporation to another are generally exempt from tax. Income generated by partnerships is not subject to tax at the level of the company, but at the level of the partners. The partners pay tax on this income according to their individual income tax brackets. Partnerships may – without paying taxes – transfer profits from the sale of shares in corporations, up to a maximum of EUR 500,000, to new purchases of shares, but also to purchases of plant and depreciable movable assets.
Loss carry-forwards for both enterprises (corporations and partnerships) and private individuals are limited to an amount of up to EUR 1 million (EUR 2 million for married couples). Above this threshold, losses may only be carried forward, if they do not exceed 60% of the taxable income (Gesamtbetrag der Einkünfte) in excess of EUR 1 million (EUR 2 million for married couples). There is no time limit for carrying losses forward.
Income generated in connection with the sale or closure of businesses by retiring entrepreneurs is also subject to income tax. The calculation of tax on such income is subject to special rules which reduce the tax burden by limiting the impact of progressive tax rates.
(Sources:
http://bundesrecht.juris.de/estg/index.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4148/DE/Service/Lexikon__A__Z/E/001.html; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_04/nn_3486/DE/Service/Lexikon__A__Z/K/003.html; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_04/nn_3486/DE/Service/Lexikon__A__Z/K/001.html; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/lang_de/DE/Service/Downloads/IP/Broschueren/Brosch_C3_BCre_20 Alterseink_C3_BCnfte,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile.pdf)
Value-Added Tax
VAT is a general consumption tax that is imposed on the value of most goods and services. With effect from January 1, 2007, the standard rate applicable to most goods and services was increased from 16% to 19%. Certain items that are classified as basic necessities, such as food (except beverages and all turnover in restaurants) and books, are subject to a reduced rate of 7%. In addition to the VAT, there are some specific consumption taxes. The most significant specific consumption taxes relate to petroleum and tobacco.
(Sources:
http://bundesrecht.juris.de/ustg_1980/index.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_04/nn_3506/DE/Service/Lexikon__A__Z/U/001.html)
Environmental Tax
The environmental tax regime aims to encourage energy conservation and to lower employers’ and employees contributions to the public pension system at the same time, thereby allocating the burden of taxes
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and contributions more equally among labor, capital and natural resources. Key points of the environmental tax regime are a tax on the consumption of electricity, the electricity tax, and the energy tax on mineral oil and coal. The electricity tax rate is EUR 0.0205 per kilowatt hour. The rates of the petroleum tax are scaled in accordance with certain environmental criteria.
(Sources:
http://bundesrecht.juris.de/stromstg/index.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_3502/DE/Service/Lexikon__A__Z/S/010.html)
Trade Tax
Trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) is levied at municipal level and is imposed on the businesses and their objective earning power. The trade tax rate varies and depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the business as well as the municipality that levies the tax. The base for the trade tax is the trade earning of the business. To calculate a business’s trade earning, the gain from the professional undertaking as the starting point is increased by certain additions (e.g., half of the interest paid for long-term debt) and also reduced by certain discounts (e.g., one-half of the rental or leasing income). Trade tax liability is calculated by multiplying a business’s trade earnings by the tax assessment rate (Steuermesszahl) of a maximum of 5% to achieve the base value for trade tax (Steuermessbetrag), which is then multiplied with the municipal collection rate (Hebesatz). Beyond a required minimum level, the municipalities have the discretion to fix the municipal tax collection rate, so that rates may vary. Trade tax is deductible as an operating expenditure and thus has an effect on personal as well as corporate income taxes. In addition, the income tax applicable to unincorporated companies is reduced by an amount equal to 1.8 times the base value for trade tax, so that most of these companies, in effect, enjoy full relief from trade tax.
(Sources:
http://bundesrecht.juris.de/gewstg/index.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_06/nn_3478/DE/Service/Lexikon__A__Z/G/001.html)
Recent and Pending Tax Reform Measures
In connection with the pending reform of corporate and other general business taxation and as part of a growth package, some temporary measures that relate to the depreciation of movable assets and permit depreciation on a declining basis with a rate of up to 30%, entered into effect on January 1, 2006 and will remain in force until December 31, 2007. In addition, effective January 1, 2006, the annual turnover limit for those enterprises wishing to benefit from the cash based method of accounting for value-added taxation was raised from EUR 125,000 to EUR 250,000 in the western Länder, while the corresponding arrangement for the eastern Länder (with a limit of EUR 500,000) was extended until 2009.
On January 1, 2007, the Investment Subsidy Act (Investitionszulagengesetz) entered into force. The act extends the provisions of the corresponding predecessor law until 2009. The act seeks to promote investments of new movable assets by companies operating in the manufacturing sector and – to some extent – the service sector. Investment subsidies are only paid to companies in the eastern Länder.
In addition, with effect from January 1, 2007, three major changes to the tax system were implemented: First, the standard rate of VAT was increased by 3 percentage points to 19%. The reduced rate of 7% for basic necessities was not affected by this measure. The receipts from this tax increase will be partly used to reduce unemployment insurance contributions. Second, the tax-free allowance for investment income (Sparerfreibetrag) was reduced from EUR 1,370 to EUR 750 for single persons (from EUR 2,740 to EUR 1,500 for married couples). Third, the deductibility of commuting expenses (Pendlerpauschale) has been limited to expenses arising in connection with the part of any commute to and from work that exceeds 20 kilometers.
There are plans to amend the inheritance tax regime in 2007. It is proposed to exempt the inheritance and the endowment of small and medium-sized enterprises from tax, provided that the respective heirs or donees continue to conduct such enterprises’ business operations in substantially the same manner for a minimum period of ten years.
In order to address deficiencies in the taxation of enterprises, in particular the comparatively high nominal tax rates, the Federal Government has adopted a proposal for a reform of corporate and other general
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business taxation and has submitted it to the Parliament for adoption, with a view to implementing a new tax system in 2008. Key points of the proposed new tax regime include a reduction of the corporate income tax rate, a reduction of the maximum income tax bracket relating to accumulated earnings of partnerships, and various changes regarding the trade tax. The reform aims to lower the total tax rate on enterprises (i.e. the consolidated tax rate imposed on enterprises’ taxable income resulting from the combined impact of corporate income tax, trade tax and solidarity surcharge) from currently approximately 40% to less than 30%. The option to depreciate on a declining basis will be abolished. In addition to the reform of corporate and other general business taxation, changes relating the capital gains tax also have been proposed, including a proposal that, with effect from January 2009, all types of income from capital as well as private shareholders’ net gains from sales of shares in corporations will be subject to a final uniform tax rate of 25% (Abgeltungssteuer).
(Sources:
http://bundesrecht.juris.de/ustg_1980/__20.html;
http://217.160.60.235/BGBL/bgbl1f/bgbl106s1614.pdf;
http://bundesrecht.juris.de/estg/BJNR010050934.html#BJNR010050934BJNG001607301;
http://bundesrecht.juris.de/estg/__9.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/lang_de/DE/Aktuelles/Aktuelle__Gesetze/Gesetzentwuerfe__Arbeitsfass ungen/045__a,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile.pdf;
http://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Redaktion/PDF/Publikationen/jahreswirtschaftsbericht__2007,property=pdf,bereic h=bmwi,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_05/nn_82/DE/Aktuelles/Pressemitteilungen/2007/03/20071403__P M026.html; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/lang_de/DE/Aktuelles/Monatsbericht__des__BMF/2007/03/070321agm b010,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile.pdf)
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The following table provides an overview of annual tax revenues of the Federal Republic, Länder and municipalities divided by categories since 2003.
TAX REVENUES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC, LÄNDER AND MUNICIPALITIES(1)
| 2007(2) | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (EUR in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Federal taxes(3) | 86,982 | | 84,215 | | 83,509 | | 84,554 | | 86,609 | |
Share of the Federal Republic in(4): | | | | | | | | | | |
Wage tax and assessed income tax | 65,238 | | 59,576 | | 54,691 | | 54,948 | | 58,504 | |
Capital gains tax and corporate tax | 18,095 | | 17,401 | | 13,142 | | 11,521 | | 8,638 | |
Interest withholding tax | 4,066 | | 3,359 | | 3,076 | | 2,980 | | 3,358 | |
Value added tax and excise tax on imports | 90,068 | | 74,056 | | 70,888 | | 67,049 | | 67,426 | |
Trade tax | 1,555 | | 1,614 | | 1,549 | | 1,461 | | 2,306 | |
Total federal taxes(5) | 230,528 | | 203,893 | | 190,145 | | 186,950 | | 191,935 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Länder taxes(6) | 22,007 | | 21,729 | | 20,579 | | 19,774 | | 18,713 | |
Share of the Länder in(4): | | | | | | | | | | |
Wage tax and assessed income tax | 65,238 | | 59,576 | | 54,691 | | 54,948 | | 58,504 | |
Capital gains tax and corporate tax | 18,095 | | 17,401 | | 13,142 | | 11,521 | | 8,638 | |
Interest withholding tax | 4,066 | | 3,359 | | 3,076 | | 2,980 | | 3,358 | |
Value added tax and excise tax on imports | 75,170 | | 65,911 | | 62,666 | | 64,480 | | 61,517 | |
Trade tax | 5,108 | | 5,399 | | 4,668 | | 4,199 | | 4,779 | |
Total Länder taxes(7) | 211,110 | | 195,116 | | 180,457 | | 179,869 | | 177,577 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Municipal taxes(8) | 11,090 | | 10,949 | | 10,813 | | 10,608 | | 10,339 | |
Share of the municipalities in: | | | | | | | | | | |
Wage tax, assessed income tax and interest | | | | | | | | | | |
withholding tax | 24,134 | | 21,943 | | 20,142 | | 20,206 | | 21,565 | |
Value added tax and excise tax on imports(9) | 3,462 | | 3,045 | | 2,901 | | 2,852 | | 2,844 | |
Trade tax | 31,836 | | 31,356 | | 25,911 | | 22,712 | | 17,053 | |
Total municipal authorities taxes | 70,522 | | 67,294 | | 59,765 | | 56,379 | | 51,801 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues of EU(10): | | | | | | | | | | |
Customs duties | 4,200 | | 3,880 | | 3,378 | | 3,059 | | 2,877 | |
Value added tax | 3,900 | | 3,676 | | 3,258 | | 2,985 | | 5,209 | |
Tax based on nominal GNP | 14,050 | | 14,586 | | 15,075 | | 13,596 | | 12,840 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total tax revenues | 534,309 | | 488,444 | | 452,079 | | 442,838 | | 442,238 | |
|
(1) | The information presented in this table concerning federal tax receipts is not comparable to the information concerning tax receipts in the tables “Public Sector Accounts” and “Federal Government Accounts” as the information was derived from different sources and is the result of different methods of data compilation. |
| |
(2) | Figures estimated by the Working Party on Tax Revenue Forecasts (“Arbeitskreis Steuerschätzungen”) in May 2007, based on the Federal Government’s growth rate forecast for nominal GDP of 4.0% in 2007. |
| |
(3) | Including, among others, taxes on tobacco, distilled spirits and mineral fuels. |
| |
(4) | Shared taxes are levied by the Federal Government (with the exception of the trade tax which is levied by the municipalities) and distributed among the Federal Republic, the Länder and the municipalities according to specific distribution schedules. |
| |
(5) | Net of federal grants to certain Länder and of EU contributions. |
| |
(6) | Includes, among others, taxes on property, motor vehicles and beer as well as inheritance tax. |
| |
(7) | Including federal grants to certain Länder. |
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(8) | Includes, among others, taxes on land and buildings. |
| |
(9) | Municipalities’ share in value added tax and excise tax on imports. |
| |
(10) | Reflects revenue collections made by the Federal Government on behalf of others. |
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2007, Table 12, page 299; Bundesministerium der Finanzen,
Ergebnis der 129. Sitzung des Arbeitskreises Steuerschätzung vom 8. bis 11. Mai 2007 in Görlitz
(http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln__07/nn__4156/DE/Steuern/Steuerschaetzung__einnahmen/Ergebnis__der__
Steuerschaetzung/0705111a6002,templateId=raw,property=publicationFile.pdf))
Government Participations
As of October 2006, the Federal Republic held direct participations in 94 public or private enterprises, and various special funds held participations in 20 (18 without double counting) enterprises. The aggregate nominal capital of the enterprises in which the Federal Republic or the special funds held direct participations amounted to EUR 18.4 billion as of December 31, 2005, thus remaining unchanged compared to December 31, 2004.
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2005, page 2; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2006, pages 1 and 2)
The following table shows information on the Federal Republic’s significant participations (including those held through its “special funds”) as of October 2006.
| Nominal Capital of | | Participation of the | |
| Enterprise as of | | Federal Republic as | |
Enterprises | October 2006 | | of October 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| (EUR in millions) | | (%) | |
Significant majority participations: | | | | |
| | | | |
Deutsche Bahn AG | 2,150 | | 100.0 | |
KfW | 3,750 | | 80.0 | |
| | | | |
Significant minority participations exceeding 25% | | | | |
| | | | |
Flughafen München GmbH | 307 | | 26.0 | |
(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2006, Chapters B and C, pages 17-101)
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Debt of the Federal Government
As of December 31, 2006, the Federal Government’s total debt, not including the debt of the Länder governments and the municipalities, amounted to EUR 916.6 billion, compared to EUR 888.1 billion as of December 31, 2005. Since July 1, 1999, the Federal Government has assumed joint liability for the debts of the following special funds: Sinking Fund for Vested Liabilities (Erblastentilgungsfonds) (for former GDR liabilities); the Federal Railway Fund (Bundeseisenbahnvermögen); and the Compensation Fund for Safeguarding the Use of Coal (Ausgleichsfonds Steinkohleneinsatz). In addition, the Federal Government has assumed joint liability for the debt of the Equalisation Fund pursuant to the Act Governing the Equalisation of Burdens (Ausgleichsfonds nach dem Lastenausgleichsgesetz) and the German Unity Fund (Fonds “Deutscher Einheit”) since January 1, 2005. The aforementioned special funds are allocated to the Federal Government as of July 1999 and January 2005, respectively.
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Übersicht über den Stand der Schuld der Bundesrepublik Deutschland am 31. Dezember 2006, Bundesanzeiger Nr. 47 of March 8, 2007, page 2458 and Bundesanzeiger Nr. 63 of March 30, 2007, page 3437)
The Federal Government raises funds primarily through the issuance of bonds and notes. Euro-denominated bonds and notes issued by the Federal Republic are evidenced by book-entry and no certificates are issued.
In addition to its own direct debt obligations, the Federal Government had outstanding guarantees in an aggregate amount of EUR 229.1 billion as of December 31, 2005. Of this amount, EUR 104.9 billion was outstanding in the form of export credit insurance, which is handled by EULER HERMES on behalf of and for the account of the Federal Government.
(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2007, Overview 4, page 355)
For more detailed information regarding the Federal Government’s debt and guarantees, see “Tables and Supplementary Information”.
For information on the Federal Government’s liability as of December 31, 2006 for capital subscriptions to various international financial organizations, see the table entitled “Tables and Supplementary Information – III. Liabilities to International Financial Organizations” below.
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TABLES AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. DIRECT DEBT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
SUMMARY
| Principal Amount | |
| Outstanding as of | |
| December 31, 2006 | |
|
| |
| (EUR in millions) | |
Federal Bonds | 580,718 | |
Five-year Federal Notes | 186,000 | |
Federal Treasury Notes | 110,000 | |
Federal Savings Notes | 10,198 | |
Treasury Discount Paper | 35,603 | |
Federal Treasury Financing Paper | 3,046 | |
Borrowers’ note loans of which: | 24,576 | |
– From residents | 24,155 | |
– From non-residents | 421 | |
Old debt(1) of which: | 4,479 | |
Equalization claims | 4,118 | |
Other | 40 | |
Repurchased debt | 52,858 | |
Medium-term notes of Treuhandanstalt | 205 | |
|
| |
Total | 902,007 | |
|
| |
|
(1) | Mainly equalization and covering claims of the Deutsche Bundesbank, other banks and insurance companies in connection with the currency reform of 1948. |
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Übersicht über den Stand der Schuld der Bundesrepublik Deutschland am 31. Dezember 2006 , Bundesanzeiger Nr. 47 of March 8, 2007, page 2458 and Bundesanzeiger Nr. 63 of March 30, 2007, page 3437)
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DEBT TABLES
1. Federal Bonds(1)
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| Interest | | Year of | | | | Outstanding as of | |
Title | Rate | | Issue | | Maturity | | December 31, 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (% per | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
| annum) | | | | | | | |
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1986 (II) | 6 | | 1986 | | 2016 | | 3,750 | |
5.625% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1986 | 5.625 | | 1986 | | 2016 | | 750 | |
6.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1994 | 6.25 | | 1994 | | 2024 | | 10,250 | |
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1997 (I) | 6 | | 1997 | | 2007 | | 15,500 | |
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1997 (II) | 6 | | 1997 | | 2007 | | 15,500 | |
6.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1997 | 6.5 | | 1997 | | 2027 | | 11,250 | |
5.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998 | 5.25 | | 1998 | | 2008 | | 15,500 | |
5.625% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998 | 5.625 | | 1998 | | 2028 | | 14,500 | |
4.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998 (I) | 4.75 | | 1998 | | 2008 | | 8,750 | |
4.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998 (II) | 4.75 | | 1998 | | 2028 | | 11,250 | |
4.125% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998 | 4.125 | | 1998 | | 2008 | | 14,000 | |
3.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999 | 3.75 | | 1999 | | 2009 | | 14,250 | |
4% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999 | 4 | | 1999 | | 2009 | | 11,250 | |
4.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999 | 4.5 | | 1999 | | 2009 | | 20,250 | |
5.375% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999 | 5.375 | | 1999 | | 2010 | | 20,250 | |
6.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000 | 6.25 | | 2000 | | 2030 | | 9,250 | |
5.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000 | 5.5 | | 2000 | | 2031 | | 17,000 | |
5.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000 (I) | 5.25 | | 2000 | | 2010 | | 20,250 | |
5.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000 (II) | 5.25 | | 2000 | | 2011 | | 23,250 | |
5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2001 | 5 | | 2001 | | 2011 | | 24,000 | |
5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2002 (I) | 5 | | 2002 | | 2012 | | 25,000 | |
5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2002 (II) | 5 | | 2002 | | 2012 | | 27,000 | |
4.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003 | 4.5 | | 2003 | | 2013 | | 24,000 | |
3.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003 | 3.75 | | 2003 | | 2013 | | 22,000 | |
4.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003 | 4.25 | | 2003 | | 2014 | | 24,000 | |
4.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003 | 4.75 | | 2003 | | 2034 | | 20,000 | |
4.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2004 | 4.25 | | 2004 | | 2014 | | 25,000 | |
3.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2004 | 3.75 | | 2004 | | 2015 | | 23,000 | |
4% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2005 | 4 | | 2005 | | 2037 | | 23,000 | |
3.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2005 | 3.25 | | 2005 | | 2015 | | 21,000 | |
3.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2005 | 3.5 | | 2005 | | 2016 | | 23,000 | |
3.875% USD-Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2005 | 3.875 | | 2005 | | 2010 | | 3,968 | |
4% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2006 | 4 | | 2006 | | 2016 | | 23,000 | |
3.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2006 | 3.75 | | 2006 | | 2017 | | 7,000 | |
1.5% Inflations-Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2006 | 1.5 | | 2006 | | 2016 | | 9,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Federal Bonds | | | | | | | 580,718 | |
| | | | | | |
| |
|
(1) | Federal Bonds are evidenced by book entry, and no certificates are issued. Maturities are 10 to 30 years. No redemption prior to maturity; including principal strips. |
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2. Five-Year Federal Notes(1)
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| | | | | | | Outstanding as of | |
| Interest | | Year of | | | | December 31, | |
Title | Rate | | Issue | | Maturity | | 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (% per | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
| annum) | | | | | | | |
4% Bonds of 2001-Series 139 | 4 | | 2001 | | 2007 | | 18,000 | |
4.5% Bonds of 2002-Series 140 | 4.5 | | 2002 | | 2007 | | 20,000 | |
4.25% Bonds of 2002-Series 141 | 4.25 | | 2002 | | 2008 | | 14,000 | |
3% Bonds of 2003-Series 142 | 3 | | 2003 | | 2008 | | 14,000 | |
3.5% Bonds of 2003-Series 143 | 3.5 | | 2003 | | 2008 | | 14,000 | |
3.25% Bonds of 2004-Series 144 | 3.25 | | 2004 | | 2009 | | 18,000 | |
3.5% Bonds of 2004-Series 145 | 3.5 | | 2004 | | 2009 | | 18,000 | |
3.25% Bonds of 2005-Series 146 | 3.25 | | 2005 | | 2010 | | 17,000 | |
2.5% Bonds of 2005-Series 147 | 2.5 | | 2005 | | 2010 | | 17,000 | |
3.5% Bonds of 2006-Series 148 | 3.5 | | 2006 | | 2011 | | 19,000 | |
3.5% Bonds of 2006-Series 149 | 3.5 | | 2006 | | 2011 | | 17,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Five-Year Federal Notes | | | | | | | 186,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| |
|
(1) | Five-Year Federal Notes are evidenced by book entry, and no certificates are issued. Maturities are approximately five years. No redemption prior to maturity. |
3. Federal Treasury Notes(1)
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| | | | | | | Outstanding as of | |
| Interest | | Year of | | | | December 31, | |
Title | Rate | | Issue | | Maturity | | 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| (% per | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
| annum) | | | | | | | |
2.5% Notes of 2005 | 2.5 | | 2005 | | 2007 | | 15,000 | |
2% Notes of 2005 | 2 | | 2005 | | 2007 | | 13,000 | |
2.25% Notes of 2005 | 2.25 | | 2005 | | 2007 | | 15,000 | |
2.75% Notes of 2005 | 2.75 | | 2005 | | 2007 | | 15,000 | |
3% Notes of 2006 | 3 | | 2006 | | 2008 | | 16,000 | |
3.25% Notes of 2006 | 3.25 | | 2006 | | 2008 | | 14,000 | |
3.5% Notes of 2006 | 3.5 | | 2006 | | 2008 | | 15,000 | |
3.75 Notes of 2006 | 3.75 | | 2006 | | 2008 | | 7,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Federal Treasury Notes | | | | | | | 110,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| |
|
(1) | Federal Treasury Notes are evidenced by book-entry, and no certificates are issued. Maturities are two years. No redemption prior to maturity. |
4. Federal Savings Notes(1)
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| | | | | | | Outstanding as of | |
| Interest Rate | | Year of Issue | | Maturity | | December 31, 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
Federal Savings Notes | 1% to 6.5% | | 1999 to 2006 | | 2007 to 2013 | | 10,198 | |
5. Treasury Discount Paper(2)
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| | | | | | | Outstanding as of | |
| Interest Rate(3) | | Year of Issue | | Maturity | | December 31, 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
Treasury Discount Paper | 2.01% to 3.6 % | | 2005 | | 2007 | | 35,603 | |
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6. Federal Treasury Financing Paper(4)
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| | | | | | | Outstanding as of | |
| Interest Rate(3) | | Year of Issue | | Maturity | | December 31, 2006 | |
| | |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
Federal Treasury Financing Paper | 1.8% to 3.5% | | 2005 to 2006 | | 2007 to 2008 | | 3,046 | |
7. Borrowers’ note loans(5)
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| | | Year of | | | | Outstanding as of | |
| Interest Rate | | Incurrence | | Maturity | | December 31, 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
Borrowers’ note loans | 2.41% to 7.01% | | 1954 to 2006 | | 2007 to 2037 | | 24,576 | |
|
(1) | Federal Savings Notes are evidenced by book entry and no certificates are issued. Maturities are six or seven years. The bonds are redeemable after one year from the issue date at the option of the holders in installments of EUR 5,113 per holder and month. The terms of the Federal Savings Notes provide for interest rates that increase during the term of the bonds. In addition, the seven-year Federal Savings Notes provide for payment of compounded interest at maturity or upon redemption prior to maturity. |
| |
(2) | Treasury Discount Papers are issued at a discount and repaid at par value on the maturity date. No interest payments are made during the term of the paper. It is issued in the form of one global bearer security. Maturities range from one year to two years. No redemption is permitted prior to maturity. |
| |
(3) | Reflects annual interest rate paid to the holder by way of the initial issue discount. |
| |
(4) | Federal Treasury Financing Papers are issued at a discount and repaid at par value on the maturity date. No interest payments are made during the term of the paper. It is issued in the form of one global bearer security. Maturities range from one year to two years. No redemption is permitted prior to maturity. |
| |
(5) | Borrowers’ note loans are an instrument of the German capital market where the lending entity, generally an institutional investor, receives a certificate evidencing its loan to the borrower and the term of such loans. The certificate generally authorizes at least three assignments. |
| |
No redemption is permitted prior to maturity. |
8. Other Liabilities
| | | | | | | Principal Amount | |
| | | Year of | | | | Outstanding as of | |
Title | Interest Rate | | Incurrence | | Maturity | | December 31, 2006 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | (EUR in millions) | |
Old debt (1) | 0% to 4% | | Various | | Various | | 4,479 | |
Other debt (2) | Various | | Various | | Various | | 40 | |
| | | | | | | | |
|
(1) | Includes mainly equalization and covering claims of the Deutsche Bundesbank, other banks and insurance companies in connection with the currency reform of 1948. |
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(2) | Includes liabilities of the Federal Government to repay amounts received from the Investitionshilfeabgabe, a special duty levied on income, the proceeds of which were to be used to promote investments. |
(Sources for Tables 1 through 3: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Übersicht über den Stand der Schuld der Bundesrepublik Deutschland am 31. Dezember 2006, Bundesanzeiger Nr. 47 of March 8, 2007, page 2458 and Bundesanzeiger Nr. 63 of March 30, 2007, page 3437; internal documents of the Federal Ministry of Finance)
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II. GUARANTEES BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
| Principal Amount Outstanding | |
| | | | |
| As of | | As of | |
Purpose of Guarantees | December 31, | | December 31, | |
| 2004 | | 2005 | |
|
| |
| |
| (EUR in millions) | |
Export finance loans (including rescheduled loans) | 103,160 | | 104,863 | |
Untied loans; direct foreign investments by German companies; | | | | |
Loans of the European Investment Bank to non-EU borrowers | 28,445 | | 28,685 | |
Loans in connection with EU agricultural policy measures | 6,650 | | 6,650 | |
Loans to domestic corporations and for projects in areas of Agriculture, fishing and housing construction | 48,998 | | 46,452 | |
Contributions to international financing institutions | 40,256 | | 40,256 | |
Co-financing of bilateral projects of German financial co-operation | 770 | | 963 | |
Successor agencies to Treuhandanstalt | 1,375 | | 1,239 | |
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| |
| |
Total guarantees | 229,654 | | 229,108 | |
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| |
(Sources: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2007,, Overview 4, page 355; Finanzbericht 2006, Overview 4, page 349)
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III. LIABILITIES TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Federal Republic is obligated to contribute to the capital subscriptions and, in some cases, to the additional financing requirements of certain international organizations in which it participates. Such contributions are in many cases stated initially in 1944 U.S. dollars. One 1944 U.S. dollar is equivalent to one Special Drawing Right (“SDR”), a unit of value established by an amendment in July 1969 to the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund. From July 1, 1974 to December 31, 1980, the exchange rate between world currencies and the SDR was determined on the basis of a basket of 16 currencies, including the U.S. dollar, which accounted for approximately one-third of the value of the basket. From 1981 to 2000, the exchange rate between world currencies and the SDR was determined on the basis of a basket of five currencies, including the U.S. dollar. The currencies that determine the value of the SDR, the proportion of each of these currencies in the basket, and the financial instruments used in determining the interest rate on the SDR, are reviewed every five years. The adoption of the euro as the common currency for the initial 11 Member States of the European Union called for a change in the composition of the SDR basket. With effect from January 1, 2001, the SDR basket consists of four currencies: U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen and pound sterling. The currency weight of the U.S. dollar in the SDR basket initially was 45%, changing on a daily basis as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. On December 29, 2006, SDR 1 equalled EUR 1.142290.
SUBSCRIPTIONS OR COMMITMENTS BY THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC
TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006
| Subscription or | | | |
| Commitment by the | | Amount | |
Name of Organization | Federal Republic(1) | | Paid In | |
|
| |
| |
| (U.S.$ millions) | |
International Monetary Fund(2) | 19,569.5 | | 19,569.5 | |
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development(3) | 8,734.0 | | 542.9 | |
International Development Association (IDA)(3)(6) | 15,936.6 | | 15,936.6 | |
International Finance Corporation (IFC)(3) | 128.9 | | 128.9 | |
European Investment Bank(4) | 35,097.4 | | 1,756.2 | |
African Development Bank(3) | 1,081.3 | | 108.3 | |
African Development Fund(3) | 1,798.8 | | 1,708.3 | |
Asian Development Bank(3) | 2,302.8 | | 161.3 | |
Asian Development Fund(3) | 1,908.3 | | 1,761.6 | |
Inter-American Development Bank(3) | 1,913.7 | | 82.3 | |
Inter-American Investment Corporation(3) | 13.3 | | 12.5 | |
Fund for Special Operations(3) | 241.9 | | 241.9 | |
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)(3) | 322.5 | | 282.5 | |
Caribbean Development Bank(3) | 37.6 | | 8.2 | |
Special Development Fund of the Caribbean Development Bank(3) | 63.0 | | 50.9 | |
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)(3)(5) | 2,248.1 | | 590.0 | |
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB)(3)(5) | 725.4 | | 80.1 | |
|
(1) | Subscriptions are in part committed in $, SDR, ECU or DM. SDR, ECU and DM commitments are converted to $ at year-end exchange rates, except that certain SDR commitments are converted at the fixed conversion rate of SDR 1 = $ 1.42927. |
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(2) | Source: computation provided by Ministry of Finance on the basis of data by the International Monetary Fund. |
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(3) | Source: computation provided by Ministry of Finance, Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. |
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(4) | Source: computation provided by Ministry of Finance: Euro exchange rate of the European Central Bank at year-end 2006, which was EUR 1 per $ 1.3170. |
| |
(5) | Calculated using the noon buying rate for cable transfers in New York City payable in euro on December 29, 2006, which was EUR 1 per $ 1.3197. |
| |
(6) | Source: Worldbank Annual Report 2005. The amount does not differentiate between amount subscribed and paid-in. |
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EXHIBIT (e)
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Consent of Deloitte & Touche GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
We hereby consent to the inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 18-K of Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank of the translation of our original German auditor's report dated March 8, 2007 in the form issued for the original German financial statements of Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank for the year ended December 31, 2006, and to the incorporation by reference of such information in the Registration Statement under Schedule B (Registration No. 333-121401) of Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America. We note that our original German auditor's report was given only with respect to the original and complete German financial statements and not to the English translation of the financial statements.
We also consent in this regard to the reference to Deloitte & Touche GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesell-schaft under the heading “Financial Statements” in this Annual Report on Form 18-K and in the Registration Statement under Schedule B of Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America, into which such Annual Report is incorporated by reference.
Frankfurt am Main, May 16, 2007 | | |
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| Deloitte & Touche GmbH |
| Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft |
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| By: | /s/ Prof. Dr. Kläs |
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| | Prof. Dr. Kläs |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Theileis |
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|
| | Theileis |
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EXHIBIT (f)
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Consent of the Federal Republic of Germany
On behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany, I hereby consent to the making of the statements with respect to the Federal Republic of Germany included in the Annual Report on Form 18-K of Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank for the year ended December 31, 2006, and to the incorporation by reference of such information in the Registration Statement under Schedule B (Registration No. 333-121401) of Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America.
May 16, 2007 | | |
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| Federal Republic of Germany |
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| By: | /s/ Dr. Claus-Michael Happe |
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| | Dr. Claus-Michael Happe |
| | Ministerialrat |