ZCZC
BCN-37
CHINA-US-GROWTH-IMF
Botswana sees opportunities as China, U.S. grow fast: IMF leader
GABORONE, July 27, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – High growth rates in China and the
United States offer positive economic opportunities for Botswana, an
International Monetary Fund (IMF) leader said Thursday.
“There is a pickup in diamond prices, and sales and production are on the
rise,” Deputy Managing Director of the IMF Zhang Tao said during a luncheon
hosted by Bank of Botswana in the country’s capital Gaborone.
As China and the United States, the top diamond jewelry markets, see rapid
economic growth, Zhang said the IMF is cautiously optimistic about Botswana,
a leading producer of diamonds around the world.
“We expect a rebound in growth this year and next to about 4.5 percent –
rising further to 5 percent over the medium term,” he explained.
As of now, global growth is projected by the IMF to remain unchanged,
compared with its April forecasts, at 3.9 percent this year and next. The
IMF, however, believes that downside risks have increased.
BSS/XINHUA/HR/1415