EU growth rate: slow,slow,slow

The Eurozone breaks into a slow recovery, but without any strong development or significant reduction in unemployment. This is either a virtual recovery or the beginning of a long period of uncertainty.

The European Banking Federation declares that the EU is growing economically, but that there are no concrete signs as yet. The Federation, which represents the continent’s top economists, is of the opinion that the EU will grow 1.4% in 2002 and 2.9% in 2003. Unemployment, however, is expected to rise 0.2% over 2001, up to 8.5% in 2002 and then to improve slightly in 2003, to 8.2%.

The Federation considers that to make a significant breakthrough in unemployment, the work market must take some courageous decisions. It is estimated that the Euro will grow in relation to the USD over the next 18 months, but the Federation warns that the Public Sector deficit will increase.

John ASHTEAD PRAVDA.Ru LONDON UNITED KINGDOM