BERLIN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- German research institute Ifo reported on Wednesday that Ifo economic index for euro area hit its highest level since the summer of 2000, primarily due to more positive assessments by experts in France and Italy.

The advance results of Ifo World Economic Survey show that the index for euro area rose sharply from 37.0 index points in the fourth of 2017 to 43.2 points in the first quarter this year.

According to experts of the survey, the current economic situation in particular continued to improve and economic expectations brightened slightly.

"The dynamic upswing is expected to continue," Ifo president Clemens Fuest noted.

Surveyed experts said that an uptick in investment activity and private consumption, the pick-up of foreign trade and an increasing inflation rate of 1.7 percent in 2018 are some of the drivers behind the upswing.

However, fewer experts expect long-term interest rates to rise.

Ifo institute has conducted a quarterly survey in numerous countries on business cycle developments and other economic factors since 1981. The results of this survey are based on responses of about 349 economic experts.