(ANSA-AFP) - BERLIN, MAR 25 - German business confidence rose in March, a key survey showed Tuesday, as a massive government spending plan promised to get Europe's largest economy rolling once again. The Ifo institute's confidence barometer was 86.7 in March, up from a seasonally adjusted value of 85.3 points the previous month. The closely watched indicator plunged as Germany's economy toiled through a prolonged slump, registering two consecutive years in recession in 2023 and 2024. December's reading of the Ifo barometer was its lowest since May 2020, when businesses were facing up to the impact of coronavirus lockdowns. But sentiment has ticked up in the new year with companies more satisfied with current business conditions and "noticeably" more optimistic for the future. "German businesses are hoping for a recovery," Ifo president Clemens Fuest said in a statement. The improvement was seen across the board, with manufacturing, services, trade and construction all registering increases in the survey. In Germany's vital manufacturing sector, businesses were decidedly "less sceptical" about the outlook, the Ifo institute said. (ANSA-AFP).