German industrial orders declined in April due to a sharp deterioration in foreign demand, official data showed Tuesday.
Factory orders declined 1.9 percent in April from a month ago, when it grew 3.2 percent, data from the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology revealed. The rate of decline exceeded the 1.1 percent drop forecast by economists.
However, the ministry said the sharp decrease came after special factors-driven growth in March.
Domestic order growth slowed to 0.4 percent from March's 1.8 percent. Foreign orders dipped 3.6 percent, reversing a 4.4 percent rise in the previous month.
Capital and consumer goods segments showed contraction in April, while bookings for intermediate goods logged a modest 0.9 percent expansion. Demand for investment goods were down 3.3 percent and that for consumer goods dropped 5 percent.
SABIC contributes to national development
The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) sponsored the Industrial Innovation Award which was presented to developers of new ideas for industrial projects at a ceremony held in Riyadh on May 18.