Article: East German flood may boost economy in West Germany

FRANKFURT, West Germany The exodus of hundreds of thousands of East Germans could actually boost West Germany's economy, providing even more customers for goods and property in Western Europe's economic powerhouse.

"Most of these people have nothing. They need everything, starting with pots and pans and through to television sets," said Heino Ruland, economist with Morgan Stanley.

Economists believe the stream of disillusioned East Germans will boost Bonn's gross national product, a measure of economic growth, by roughly one half of a percentage point annually.

Main beneficiaries of the upheaval will be the building and retail sectors but others also look like gaining, they said.

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