ECLAC Says Economic Activity in Latin America and the Caribbean Will Grow 2.2% This Year

Get our headlines on WHATSAPP: 1) Save +1 (869) 665-9125 to your contact list. 2) Send a WhatsApp message to that number so we can add you 3) Send your news, photos/videos to times.caribbean@gmail.com

SG visit to ECLAC. Town Hall Meeting with UN staff followed by Ceremony to inaugurate plaque in anniversary of earthquake and acknowledgement for the renovation of the ECLAC building

 

 
 
 
 
 

SANTIAGO, Chile, Friday April 13, 2018 – The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) updated its economic activity growth projections for the region’s countries during 2018 and kept its estimate for average regional expansion at 2.2%, after growing 1.2% last year, the United Nations organization said. That remains the same as what was published in December 2017, when the institution launched its annual report Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2017.

During 2018, greater dynamism in external demand is seen helping stimulate the economic activity of Latin America and the Caribbean. Likewise, domestic demand will play an important role in the acceleration of growth, although with differences among components, ECLAC indicates. In particular, and even while continuing to be low, investment is expected to make a greater contribution than in previous years, while private consumption will remain a relevant driver of domestic demand.

The United Nations regional commission adds that, in some cases, the rise in real wages and the expansion of credit – along with growth in remittances, in the case of the Central American region – are factors that explain the increase in consumption. With regard to public spending, ECLAC indicates that fiscal consolidation is expected to remain on average during 2018, meaning that public investment and spending will make a lower contribution to growth.

As in previous years, during 2018 growth will show heterogeneous dynamics between countries and subregions, ECLAC indicates.

For the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, average growth is projected at 1.4% for 2018, above the 0.1% seen in 2017.

According to ECLAC, economic activity projections for Latin America and the Caribbean are being made in a more favorable international context than that of the last few years, but significant uncertainties persist regarding protectionist trends, the financial dynamic and geopolitical risks.

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/eclac-says-economic-activity-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean-will-grow-2-2-this-year#ixzz5CfxwGOK6

Leave a comment

Social Share Buttons and Icons powered by Ultimatelysocial
error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)