Economy

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle speaks to TV crews after a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle speaks to TV crews after a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle leaves after a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle gives a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle (L) arrives for a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle leaves after a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle gives a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle gives a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle gestures as he gives a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle (R) arrives for a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle gives a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruderle speaks to TV crews after a press conference in Berlin, October 21, 2010. The German economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent this year and then slow slightly in 2011 as global demand ebbs, Bruederle predicted, sharply raising forecasts for Europe's top economy.

German Economy and Technology Minister Rainer Bruederle (L) is greeted by Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akihiro Ohata (R) prior to their talks at the economy, trade and industry ministry in Tokyo, on October 15, 2010. Bruederle is on the last leg of his Asian tour to China and Japan.

France's Economy Minister Christine Lagarde waves after participating in the 'Third Economy Days' on November 9, 2010 in Lyon, eastern France. Lagarde called today for an agreement between G20 rich and emerging countries on a joint effort of their monetary politics, France asking for a reform of international monetary system to face 'Currency War'.

Taiwan's Economy Minister Shih Yen-Shiang (L) is watched by Finance Minister Lee Sush Der (R) as he addresses media representatives during their joint press conference after the Asia Pacific Economy Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo on November 11, 2010. They confirmed that Taiwan representative Lien Chan would meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Yokohama during the APEC Leaders Summit.

Taiwan's Economy Minister Shih Yen-Shiang gestures as he addresses media representatives during a joint press conference with Finance Minister Lee Sush Der after the Asia Pacific Economy Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo on November 11, 2010. They confirmed Taiwan representative Lien Chan would meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Yokohama during the APEC Leaders meeting.

France's Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde gives a press conference at the G20 Business Summit in Seoul on November 11, 2010. After weeks of running battles on trade and currencies, G20 leaders start what promises to be a stormy summit on November 11-12 devoted to recalibrating huge distortions in the world economy.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akihiro Ohata (2L) speaks while German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle (2R) and Japanese state minister in charge of economic and fiscal policy Banri Kaieda (3L) look on during their talks in Tokyo on October 15, 2010. Bruederle is on the last leg of his Asian tour.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde poses, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

(From L to R) German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle, German Labour Minister Ursula von der Leyen, panel member Beatrice Weder, panel member Wolfgang Franz, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, panel member Wolfgang Wiegard, and panel member Peter Bofinger arrive for the official handing over of the 'Five Wise Ones' panel of experts' economic forecast at the chancellery in Berlin November 10, 20010. Germany is set for a powerful economic rebound this year before a slight slowdown in 2011, the panel of top experts said, releasing a new growth forecast for Europe's top economy.

Taiwan's Economy Minister Shih Yen-Shiang (L) is watched by Finance Minister Lee Sush Der as he addresses media representatives during their joint press conference after the Asia Pacific Economy Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo on November 11, 2010. They confirmed that Taiwan representative Lien Chan would meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Yokohama during the APEC Leaders Summit.

France's Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde gives a press conference at the G20 Business Summit in Seoul on November 11, 2010. After weeks of running battles on trade and currencies, G20 leaders start what promises to be a stormy summit on November 11-12 devoted to recalibrating huge distortions in the world economy.

France's Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde gives a press conference at the G20 Business Summit in Seoul on November 11, 2010. After weeks of running battles on trade and currencies, G20 leaders start what promises to be a stormy summit on November 11-12 devoted to recalibrating huge distortions in the world economy.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde poses, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde poses, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

To go with Bangladesh-economy-stocks,FOCUS by Shafiq Alam Bangladeshi pedestrians walk past the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Dhaka on October 12, 2010. A flurry of cooling measures has failed to end a record-breaking bull run at Bangladesh's main stock market, with regulators now warning of an imminent crash that could devastate the broader economy.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle addresses a press conference with German Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen (unseen) in Berlin September 6, 2010, following the government's decision to extend the life of the country's nuclear plants. German Chancellor Angela Merkel set the stage for perhaps the biggest fight of her time in office with proposals to postpone the date when Europe's biggest economy abandons nuclear power.

France's Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde arrives at a press conference prior to the start of the G20 Summit in Seoul on November 11, 2010. After weeks of running battles on trade and currencies, G20 leaders start what promises to be a stormy summit on November 11-12 devoted to recalibrating huge distortions in the world economy.

France's Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde attends a press conference at the G20 Business Summit in Seoul on November 11, 2010. After weeks of running battles on trade and currencies, G20 leaders start what promises to be a stormy summit on November 11-12 devoted to recalibrating huge distortions in the world economy.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde poses, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde poses, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

France's Economy Minister Christine Lagarde (C) talks with delegation members during a delegate reception at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting at Gyeongju on October 22, 2010. G20 finance ministers and central bankers opened a two-day meeting in South Korea, dogged by warnings of a 'currency war' that could undermine the fragile world economy.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde (R) chats with junior minister in charge of Forward Planning, Assessment of Public Policies and Development of the Digital Economy Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet during the weekly session of questions to the government on November 9, 2010 at the National Assembly in Paris.

France's Economy, Industry and Employment minister Christine Lagarde attends a press conference at the G20 Business Summit in Seoul on November 11, 2010. After weeks of running battles on trade and currencies, G20 leaders start what promises to be a stormy summit on November 11-12 devoted to recalibrating huge distortions in the world economy.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde gives an interview, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde poses, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.

French Economy minister Christine Lagarde poses, on November 15, 2010 at the ministry in Paris, one day after being reappointed as Economy and Finance minister. Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his government ahead of his undeclared 2012 re-election bid.