BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s central bank on Friday lowered its growth forecast for this year but said a recovery had already started, as evidenced by a rise in export and industry figures in Europe’s largest economy.

The lingering recession in the 17-nation eurozone and the unusually cold weather in Germany dragged down growth over the first few months of the year, the Bundesbank said. It now expects the economy to grow by only 0.3 percent in 2013, down from its December forecast of 0.4 percent.