CHINA PASSES GERMANY AS TOP EXPORTER: WTO REPORT

       China's exports edged ahead of those of the world's largest exporter, Germany, for the first time ever during the first half of 2009, according to World Trade Organisation data released on Tuesday.
       Chinese goods exports reached US$521.7 billion (Bt17.8 trillion) over the first six months of the year, while Germany's reached $512.6 billion;
       "It is an indication that the two countries are very very close," a WTO economist said, confirming a report in Britain's Financial Times newspaper.
       But he said that it was too soon to judge if by the end of the year China will have overtaken Germany as the world's largest exporter of goods over the whole of 2009, and declined to make a prediction.
       "It will depend on a number of parameters such as the exchange rate as well as a recovery in certain regions," he added.
       Exports from both countries faltered for several months due to the global downturn but have shown hints of a recovery recently.
       Germany is currently the world's biggest exporter of goods and services but has been closely tailed in recent years by China, which has been gaining ground with the explosive growth of the Chinese economy.
       In 2007, Germany exported $1.32 trillion of goods over the full year while China's exports reached $1.22 billion, according to WTO data.
       Chinese exports grew by an average of 25 per cent a year between 2000 and 2007 while German exports grew at a slower pace, 13 per cent per annum.
       However, Germany's $210.8 billion in services exports in 2007 clearly distanced the $121.6 billion recorded by China.