Dr. Christoph Hartmann, Minister of Economics and Science: `Stable development despite the Euro crisis´.

Saarbrücken, September 28, 2011

In the first half of the year 2011, Saarland registered the second highest real growth performance in Germany. According to provisional figures of the Statistical Office, the Saarland economy grew by 5.3 % nominally and by 4.8 % in real terms in the first six months of the year. On the German average, the GDP rose by 4.5 % (nominally) respectively 3.9 % (in real terms).

`With a record growth of 4.7 % Saarland has achieved the best result since more than 30 years. Thus, the upswing of the Saarland economy is continuing in 2011. If we keep the pace, we will definitely have overcome the economic crisis by end of this year` , said Economics Minister Dr. Christoph Hartmann. For 2012, too, Hartmann expects a positive growth. `Despite the Euro crisis, I am counting on a stable development of the economy over the entire year. In 2012, however, the dynamic of growth will slow down as a consequence of the weakening of the global economy.`

The growth engine in the first half of 2011 was industry. Especially export-oriented branches could register high increases in new orders, production and sales, but also nationally-oriented industries gather momentum. Sales in trade and handicrafts went up noticeably.

For Saarland´s Prime Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the present data are a proof of Saarland´s competitiveness. `The Saarland economy will emerge stronger from the crisis than before. I am especially happy that the upswing reaches the labour market.` In comparison to the previous year, the number of employees for which social insurance contributions are paid has climbed by 2.6 % in the first six months of 2011.