Economy, Finance and Trade

Bermuda is one of the world’s richest countries but the economy has not performed well. Moderate gains in real GDP are expected in 2020. Private investment is a major driver along with gains in international business activity. Private final ...

Despite many limitations, the economy is performing well. Djibouti is expanding its transportation and utilities infrastructure to leverage its strategic location as a shipping hub and host to military bases. Private consumption is another driver ...

Bolivia’s economy is one of the faster growing in the region. The economy will be supported by private final consumption and recovering investment. Hydrocarbon exports will continue to be limited by a weak external sector. Other risks include ...

Bahrain’s economy will accelerate in 2020. Low interest rates will support private final consumption and healthy tourist arrivals will help support the economy. Funding from other Arab countries is the main driver. Exports growth is limited by the ...

Real GDP growth in New Zealand and Australia will be healthy in 2020. Unemployment fell in both New Zealand and Australia in 2019 but it will grow in both in 2020. Much of the region's past growth was due to China's voracious demand for commodities. ...

The economy will improve somewhat in 2020. The re-opening of the border with Iraq and associated trade and investment agreements; the extension and broadening of the trade agreement with the European Union; as well as other efforts to lower the cost ...

The economy should improve slightly in 2020, in line with a modest increase in the Opec+ production cap. Improved economic conditions in the oil industry are also slowly feeding into the non-oil sector. A risk is another drop in oil prices, triggered...

Taiwan’s economy will cool slightly in 2019. The economy continues to be supported by growth in government expenditure on infrastructure, with low unemployment continuing to shore up consumption, and exports performing well. Downside risks include ...

Tunisia’s economy should pick up momentum in 2020. This performance reflects a rebound in industrial production, higher investment and stronger private consumption. However, downside risks are a weak fiscal position, continued weakness in key trading...

Denmark’s economic growth will weaken in 2020. Private consumption growth is projected to remain solid supported by the buoyant labour market, and the reimbursement of excessively-collected property taxes to households. The deteriorating economic ...

Myanmar’s economy is continuing to head towards an elevated growth path, assisted by strengthening exports and national reforms aiming to further open the domestic market to foreign investment. However, in the short term, an insufficient ...

Croatia’s economy will accelerate slightly in 2019. Public sector investment will intensify, due to more vigorous use of EU funds. Private final consumption is expected to increase moderately, as a result of continued increases in employment and ...

Ecuador’s economy will slow in 2019. Consumer spending and exports will both decelerate in 2019 and Ecuador’s austerity programme is a drag, however the economy will receive a boost from IMF funding. Oil production is increasing in response to ...

The economy will experience solid growth in 2019. Private consumption continues to be supported by rapidly rising wages in excess of productivity growth and expanding credit. Consumer confidence strengthened in early 2019. Investment growth remains ...

The economy will continue to grow at a steady pace in 2019. Consumer spending and a double-digit gain in exports provide most of the support. Public investment in infrastructure is also on the rise. Guatemala’s extensive dependence on the US economy ...

Portugal’s economic outlook will cool slightly in 2019. The moderation reflects a less supportive external environment, particularly in the euro area, and moderating growth in domestic demand. Nevertheless, growth in Spain, Portugal’s main trading ...

The Sri Lankan economy is expected to normalize gradually. Support comes from robust growth in private final consumption, strong growth in services and a sustained recovery in agriculture and industry led by construction. The economy’s performance ...

The economy will see healthy growth in 2019, but will be below historical trends. High investment should boost growth and job creation; a weaker-than projected external environment is the main short-term downside risk to growth. Inflation will likely...

Montenegro’s economy will experience healthy growth in 2018. Both public and private investment are rising, supported by robust growth in credit. Construction of the Bar-Boljare highway is a major project. Private final consumption will also provide ...

Georgia will see very healthy growth in 2019. Strong private consumption is supported by stable inflation, a tightening labour market and healthy credit growth. Investment activity is stimulated by inflows of EU cohesion funds. However, risks are a ...