The Federal Republic of Germany is presently experiencing the deepest and longest recession in its history. The situation is characterised by high and rising unemployment figures, slowing growth, a steep increase in the number of bankruptcies in the business sector as well as by a rapidly rising...

The island's rapid industrialisation over the past decade and its development as the main trade and financial centre of South-East Asia, supported by a phenomenal growth in tourism, constitute yet another Asian economic miracle.