German foreign trade rebounded in September as both exports and imports recovered from slumps in the previous month, official data showed on Monday.

    Compared with the previous month, German exports increased by 2.6 percent in September when adjusted for seasonal and calendar swings, said German federal statistics office Destatis.

    Imports also went up by 3.6 percent, suggesting solid domestic demand from Europe's biggest economy.

    According to Destatis, Germany dispatched goods worth 100.3 billion euros (about 108.3 billion U.S. dollars) in September, and received goods to the value of 80.9 billion euros.

    The net foreign trade, a pillar for economic growth, thus narrowed to 19.4 billion euros in September from 19.6 billion euros in August.

    Foreign trade was traditionally Germany's driving force as the "Made in Germany" brand enjoyed a good reputation in world markets. However, due to the weak growth of the global economy, the German engine has lost its steam in recent years, leaving private consumption as the main force driving the economy.

    Data released last week showed that both German industrial orders and output contracted in the third quarter, a cause for concern for business groups which urged the government to take measures to boost public and private investment. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollars)