Economy, Finance and Trade

Bolivia’s economy is one of the faster growing in the region. Accommodative policies combined with a second Christmas bonus support demand while higher commodity prices and lower capital imports will help reduce the “twin” deficits. Growth also ...

St Lucia expects only modest economic gains in the next few years. A mild fiscal stimulus helped to sustain the economy in 2017. In 2018, growth of 2.7% is expected. Weaknesses in the banking sector are a drag on growth. Reforms to lower the tax ...

Tanzania’s economy will perform impressively in 2018. The continued growth of services is a major driver. Power shortages are easing thanks to a Chinese-financed pipeline carrying natural gas to commercial centres. A large increase in capital ...

After contracting for several years, real GDP grew feebly in 2016 and 2017. The outlook is bleak with the economy continuing on its present course in 2018 and beyond. Tourism accounts for about 80% of GDP and provides employment for a majority of the...

Bahrain’s economy should grow moderately in 2019. Although they are starting to rise, still low oil prices weigh on domestic demand and market uncertainties prevent the economy from performing at its full potential. Funding from other Arab countries ...

Real GDP growth in New Zealand and Australia will be healthy in 2019. Unemployment fell in both New Zealand and Australia in 2017 and it will decrease again in 2019 in New Zealand. Much of the region's past growth was due to China's voracious demand ...

The economy will improve slightly in 2019. 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 in 2019 driven by higher oil prices. Improved economic conditions in the oil industry are also slowly feeding into the non-oil sector. As growth recovers, and capital projects come on stream, credit growth should pick up, ...

Taiwan’s economy will cool slightly in 2019. Exports will fall due to the impact of the continued escalation of the trade dispute between the USA and China and a slowdown in the technology sector. Growth of private final consumption will be moderate....

Tunisia’s econmic growth will be solid in 2019. There are encouraging signs that economic activity is picking up, with robust performance in agriculture, tourism, and services. However, the economy remains too dependent on consumption and imports ...

Denmark’s growth will accelerate slightly in 2019. Private consumption, exports and investments will be the primary drivers of growth, along with private sector investment. There are signs that the housing market is beginning to cool. Risks are the ...

The economy is gradually becoming more balanced and is performing well. The expansion will be fuelled by domestic demand, as consumer confidence increases. Residential investment has picked up, after a housing downturn, making a sizeable contribution...

Finland’s economy is growing moderately. Export growth will weaken due to lower foreign demand growth, especially for investment goods. Residential investment will remain weak. Earnings and employment growth will support private consumption, even ...

In the Middle East and Africa, real GDP growth in 2019 will be below historical trends. A much stronger performance is needed to reduce the region’s huge pool of unemployed. Infrastructure bottlenecks in sub-Saharan Africa are especially acute. The ...

The economy will decelerate in 2019. The main impetus to growth will be from the projected strength of domestic demand, reflected in solid growth in consumer spending and underlying investment. The main driver of growth in underlying activity is ...

Mauritania’s economy is seeing moderate growth. Gains in private final consumption will be the main driver in 2019. Exports, however, have fallen for the past several years. A modest programme of fiscal consolidation is another drag. The external ...

The economy will strengthen in 2019. Steady gains in construction and private final consumption are the main drivers. Tourism will also be solid, supported by new room capacity. Growth of real GDP is expected to moderate to about 2.7% per year by ...

Togo’s economy continues to perform well. Strong gains in private final consumption provide much of the support for the economy. Public investment has addressed some of the most significant infrastructure gaps, but it has also increased public debt ...

The Israeli economy continues to grow at a solid pace. While the global slowdown is weakening export market expansion in the near term, the still strong labour market, low interest rates and expansionary fiscal policy will support domestic demand. ...

Kenya will enjoy healthy economic gains in 2019. Momentum should be sustained this year on the back of public infrastructure spending and despite the interest rate cap likely continuing to weigh on the domestic economy. The persistence of drought ...