Official data show German exports continued to grow in February, rising 1.6 percent compared with the previous month. Imports to Europe's biggest economy were up a strong 3.9 percent.

The Federal Statistical Office said Tuesday that Germany exported goods and services worth (EURO)91.3 billion ($119 billion) in February. It was the second consecutive month-on-month rise, following a 3.4 percent increase in January.

In year-on-year terms, exports climbed 8.6 percent - with exports to countries outside the European Union leading the way, rising 13.4 percent.

Germany's economy traditionally has been powered by exports but is being helped lately by increasingly strong domestic demand.

Imports totaled (EURO)76.5 billion in February - also rising for the second straight month. They were 6.1 percent higher than a year earlier.