Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann has called for further reform steps in Europe. "Much has been done – in the member states as well as at the European level," Weidmann said in Athens. Despite this progress, there is still need for further action, he said.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann has spoken out in favour of taking advantage of the good global economic outlook to implement reforms. It is now vital to "push ahead with structural reforms that put national economies on a path of sustainable, higher growth," he said at a joint press conference with Federal Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, DC.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann has spoken out in favour of eliminating the red tape involved in setting up a business. At a speech in Düsseldorf, Mr Weidmann pointed out that “reforms to make it easier for start-ups to enter the market would also enhance competition and spur innovative power.”

Germany’s net international investment position stood at €2,073 billion at the end of 2018, thus amounting to around 62% of nominal gross domestic product. The German net external asset position rose by €281 billion year-on-year. 

According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, in the first quarter of 2017 the German economy grew by 0.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. Based on provisional calculations, positive contributions came from both domestic and foreign demand.