BUSINESS ABROAD: German Boom

In postwar Europe, West Germany has made a spectacular economic comeback. Last week the government issued a report showing just how spectacular the change has been:

¶In 1952, West German shipyards completed and delivered 227 seagoing vessels totaling 503,502 registered tons v. 190 ships totaling 302,051 tons in 1941. With orders on the books for 440 additional ships (tonnage: 2,085,000), 1953 should set a record.

¶Auto exports last year totaled 137,000 units, up 17,000 from 1941.

¶Gross national product in 1952 totaled 125.6 billion Deutsche marks ($30 billion), up 10% from 1951.

¶Average personal income in 1952 was $483 v. $395 in...

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