BERLIN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The German government announced a record surplus of 13.5 billion euros (15.0 billion U.S. dollars) for 2019, according to preliminary figures published by the Ministry of Finance (BMF) on Monday.

"The budget balance was achieved for the sixth consecutive year without new debt", according to the ministry. Germany's previous record surplus was recorded at 12.1 billion euros in 2015.

According to the BMF, the reasons for the high surplus were unspent budget funds, lower interest expenditures and rising tax revenues.

At the same time, total investments, particularly in climate protection, better schools, new roads, digital infrastructure and social housing, had risen to a record level of 38.1 billion euros. The German government was "helping to improve long-term growth prospects", BMF noted.

"In Germany, it is all about investing a lot", Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz told the news channel n-tv after presenting the figures.

The surplus would be transferred to the reserve fund for the coming years, according to the BMF. Local media reported that most of the money was to be used to build up a cash reserve to deal with the high number of migrants, which would rise to more than 48 billion euros.

"For the future, the foreseeable changes in economic conditions must also be taken into account. This continues to call for a prudent and responsible budgetary policy", BMF noted. Enditem

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