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A majority of chief economists worldwide expect weaker global economic conditions in 2025 but India is likely to maintain a strong growth despite signs of some momentum being lost, a new report said on Thursday. In its latest Chief Economists Outlook, the World Economic Forum said the global economy is set to face significant challenges in 2025, with 56 per cent of chief economists surveyed expecting conditions to weaken. Only 17 per cent foresee an improvement, pointing to heightened uncertainty in key regions and the need for measured policy responses worldwide, it found. The US economy is expected to deliver robust growth in 2025, and South Asia, particularly India, is also expected to maintain strong growth. The outlook for Europe remains gloomy, with 74 per cent of respondents predicting weak or very weak growth this year. The outlook for China also remains weak, and growth is projected to slow gradually in the years ahead, the WEF said in the report prepared on the basis of
After six successive quarters of negative growth, Sri Lanka's bankrupt economy is estimated to have recorded a growth of 4.5 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Central Bank announced here on Tuesday. It was only during the third quarter of 2023 that the economy recorded positive growth after six successive quarters of negative growth experienced by the cash-strapped economy. The headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index, had decelerated to 5.9 per cent in February from 6.4 per cent in January. The gross official reserves improved to USD 4.5 billion by the end of February 2024, which includes the swap facility from the People's Bank of China. Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said the reserve buildup was better than the Central Bank's expectations. The reserve buildup was supported by considerable net purchases by the Central Bank from the domestic foreign exchange market amidst increased foreign currency inflow
China's leaders launched a barrage of new policies this week to prop up languishing financial markets and rekindle growth in the world's second-largest economy. The moves to support lending and spending with billions of dollars of fresh cash gathered pace when the central bank cut bank reserve requirements and issued new rules to encourage banks to lend more to property companies. A collapse in China's real estate market has been one of the key factors hindering the country's recovery from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. What's at stake: stable financial markets and a major driver of global economic growth. HOW IS THE CHINESE ECONOMY DOING? The Chinese economy grew at a 5.2% annual pace in 2023, exceeding the government's target, and many indicators including factory output and retail sales show signs of improvement. But most economists are forecasting a slowdown this year and next that will drag on global growth. Meanwhile, Chinese stock markets have swooned since late 2023,
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday said the risks like misinformation and societal polarisation are very serious as they can limit our capabilities to deal with other challenges. In a special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 here, she said this is not the time for polarisation, but for rebuilding trust. "This is not a time for conflicts, but the time to drive global collaboration and business have a crucial role to play," she added. Referring to the WEF Annual Global Risks Report that listed 'disinformation and misinformation' and societal polarisation among the biggest immediate risks before the world, she said these are indeed serious risks because they limit our capabilities in handling other risks, including conflicts, climate and technology. "This is not the time for polarisation, this is the time for trust. I believe it can be done, and I believe that Europe can lead on that front. It has never been more important for the ...