Economy, Finance and Trade

Hong Kong, China’s economy is growing at a healthy pace. A sharp economic downturn in China, spillovers from the trade war between China and the United States, and domestic civil unrest will hamper the economy in 2019. However, a tight labour market ...

Political instability has depressed domestic demand, causing output weakness. Given the size of Italy’s economy, a possible debt default would spook global financial markets, creating contagion within weaker eurozone economies and those exposed to ...

Peru’s economy is highly dependent on natural resources. This exposes the country’s exports to global commodity price shocks and to a Chinese economic slowdown. Nevertheless, government finances are healthy and able to withstand external pressures, ...

Cambodia is one of the fastest-growing developing countries in Asia. 2019’s deceleration is partly due to weakening global demand. Growth will be driven by strong fixed investment and a flourishing tourist sector. Moderating private investment should...

The economy will see another year of strong growth in 2019. Public investment and consumption will remain key elements of growth as the second Growth and Transformation Plan is implemented. While no new projects will be launched in 2019, the ...

The on-going conflict continues to pose serious problems, however an economic recovery is expected in 2019. Additional donor financing, enhanced revenue collection, and further expenditure prioritisation will be needed to maintain economic stability....

Kyrgyzstan’s growth continues across most sectors, benefiting from the impact of rising remittances and the economic recovery in Russia and other key trading partners. Public investment is an important driver. Private final consumption will see only ...

Bahrain’s economy will moderate 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 is the ...

Real GDP growth in New Zealand and Australia will be healthy in 2019. Unemployment fell in both New Zealand and Australia in 2018 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. Investment is the largest contributor to growth. Private consumption will also perform well. Exports will fall over the whole year, due to the impact of the escalation of the trade dispute between the USA ...

Denmark’s growth will accelerate slightly in 2019. Given increasing income and wealth, private consumption is expected to drive growth this year. A contribution from exports is also expected, but less pronounced than in the previous years due to the ...

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 ...

The economy will improve in 2019. Private consumption will be a major driver. In the resources sector, full recovery of production and exports from the earthquake is projected. In the non-resource sector, output, consumption and investment will ...

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 ...

Growth of real GDP will accelerate in 2018. Growth of consumer spending will be the major driver but inflows of FDI will also be important. The narrow export base is a problem. A programme of fiscal consolidation launched in 2018 could be a drag. The...