Germany raises 2011 growth forecast to 2.3 pct

BERLIN (AP) - The German government has raised its growth forecast for the country's economy this year to 2.3 percent.

The revised forecast for 2011 issued Wednesday was up from the 1.8 percent the government predicted in October.

Figures released last week showed that Europe's biggest economy expanded by a powerful 3.6 percent last year - its fastest pace since reunification two decades ago - as a rebound in exports was accompanied by strengthening domestic demand.