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Added on the 18/03/2021 16:45:00 - Copyright : France 24 EN
The world's economic outlook is "much more pessimistic" as a result of the war in Ukraine, warns Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, as the OECD slashes its 2022 growth forecast and projects higher inflation. SOUNDBITE
EU economic affairs commissioner Paolo Gentiloni says that the bloc has increased its growth forecast for 2021, as the eurozone economy holds strong against higher energy prices, supply chain bottlenecks and a fresh wave of Covid cases. SOUNDBITE
Dubai's Expo-2020 opens for visitors, during which the United Arab Emirates hopes to welcome about 25 million guests, as it is considered the first universal exhibition held in the Middle East and the largest event globally since the start of the Covid-19. pandemic. IMAGES
Optimism that new vaccines will bring the pandemic under control and allow economic activity to resume coupled with stimulus in major economies has boosted the growth forecast this year to 5.5 percent, the IMF says in its latest World Economic Outlook. SOUNDBITE
The global economic crisis will not be quite as grim as feared this year, but GDP will still contract 4.4 percent, the IMF says in its latest World Economic Outlook. "This upgrade owes to somewhat less dire outcomes in the second quarter, as well as signs of a stronger recovery in the third quarter, offset partially by downgrades in some emerging and developing economies," IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath says. SOUNDBITE
Gita Gopinath, the International Monetary Fund's chief economist, says that if the virus is contained and economies can begin operating again, 2021 should see a rebound of 5.8 percent. [COMPLETES VIDI1QL1IG_EN] SOUNDBITE