With exports to Germany, Italy and the UK, Solaris Botanicals’ western-style herbal teas are winning new customers, and it is eyeing a surprising new marketplace — China, writes Trish Dromey.

The German government is nominating an economics professor as central bank president to succeed Ernst Welteke, who stepped down for taking a free hotel stay from a commercial bank.

The German government plans to borrow an additional €4-5bn next year to help finance its tax cuts package, government sources said.

The German government decided today to delay for a year a round of tax cuts planned for 2003 as it looks for ways to finance the country’s cleanup and rebuilding operation after disastrous floods.