German industrial production increased in February, official data showed on Monday, a sign that Europe's largest economy is growing again after shrinking in the last quarter of 2012.

A report issued by Germany's Economy Ministry showed that industrial output rose 0.5 percent after a revised fall of 0.6 percent in January.

It said manufacturing output increased by 0.5 percent in February, while capital goods production rose 2.4 percent. Data also showed that energy production in February rose 3.9 percent while construction activity fell 2.7 percent.

Despite the difficulties in many European partner countries, the German economy is still in good shape. After a contraction of 0.6 percent in the final quarter of 2012, the German economy is expected to avoid recession and recover this year.

The German central bank said last month that the weak start of the biggest European economy to the year 2013 will not jeopardize its recovery. The Bundesbank has predicted a 0.4-percent growth of the German economy in 2013. Endi

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