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Global economy at turning point – World Bank

By BusinessNews Staff on January 16, 2014

The world economy is projected to strengthen this year, with growth picking up in developing countries and high-income economies appearing to be finally turning the corner five years after the global financial crisis, the World Bank says in its newly-released Global Economic Prospects report.

The firming of growth in developing countries is being bolstered by acceleration in high-income countries and continued strong growth in China, according to a report by Reuters.

However, growth prospects remain vulnerable to headwinds from rising global interest rates and potential volatility in capital flows, as the United States Federal Reserve Bank begins withdrawing its massive monetary stimulus.

The World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, said, “Growth appears to be strengthening in both high-income and developing countries, but downside risks continue to threaten the global economic recovery.

“The performance of advanced economies is gaining a momentum, and this should support stronger growth in developing countries in the months ahead. Still, to accelerate poverty reduction, developing nations will need to adopt structural reforms that promote job creation, strengthen financial systems and shore up social safety nets.”

The global Gross Domestic Product growth is projected to firm from 2.4 per cent in 2013 to 3.2 per cent this year, stabilising at 3.4 per cent and 3.5 per cent in 2015 and 2016, respectively, with much of the initial acceleration reflecting stronger growth in high-income economies.

[Punch]

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