The head of Germany’s DIHK chambers of industry and commerce said on Monday he was concerned that high energy prices would contribute to slower growth in Europe’s biggest economy next year. “Next year, it is certainly the case that we will be happy if we have (growth of) 1 percent or more,” Martin Wansleben told German television.

Last month, the organisation said it expected German growth to slow to between 1.0 and 1.4 percent in 2009. Wansleben also said, however, there was no need to panic for this year. “This year the order books are still full,” said Wansleben, adding the DIHK was sticking to its 2.3 percent economic growth forecast for 2008. Last month, the chambers said the outlook for Germany had worsened since the start of the year due to the strong euro and that rising commodity prices had dampened private consumption.