BERLIN (AP) — Factory orders in Germany rose strongly in March in a positive development for Europe's largest economy.

The Federal Statistical Office said Monday that new orders in manufacturing rose by 1.9 percent in March compared to the previous month. It also adjusted February's decline to a drop of only 0.8 percent over January, compared to the 1.2 percent drop initially reported.

March's rise was driven by a 4.3 percent increase in foreign orders, primarily from outside the eurozone, while domestic orders decreased by 1.2 percent. Orders from within the euro area were up 1.1 percent while orders from outside rose by 6.2 percent.

ING-DiBa economist Carsten Brzeski says the figures "give some hope that the stagnation since last summer is gradually fading away."