Wiesbaden, Germany - Annual inflation in Germany climbed to 0.7 per cent April from 0.5 per cent for the year ending in March, according to preliminary figures released on Tuesday. Increased spending on fuel and package tours during the Easter holidays, accounted for the rise, the Federal Statistics Office said, citing data from six of Germany's federal states.

The March inflation rate was the lowest in nearly a decade.

Experts estimate the inflation rate will slow to around zero in the coming months, mainly as a result of energy prices slipping back from record levels recorded in mid-2008. (dpa)