A large majority of Germany’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expect costs to rise, but say they can mitigate the impact by raising their prices. Four fifths, or 80%, of German SMEs expect significant cost increases in the current year, according to a survey by the state-owned development bank KfW. The main drivers are higher wages and salaries as well as increased prices for energy and raw materials. The survey found that 51% of companies stated in April that their wage costs will rise, with 14% expecting an increase of more than 10%. Trade unions have been able to push through sign…