Germany hikes 2011 growth forecast

BERLIN: Germany will grow at a much faster rate in 2011 than previously expected, the government said Wednesday, as Europe's top economy continues to motor ahead despite the eurozone debt crisis raging around it.

The economy is set to expand by 2.3 percent this year, according to the latest official forecast, a sharp hike from the 1.8 percent estimated in October as Europe's powerhouse continued an impressive bounce back from a deep recession.