GENEVA Will Fuller V Jersey , Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The annual economic growth ofSwitzerland in 2017 is expected to be below one percent afterrevision, possibly the slowest since 2009, State Secretariat forEconomic Affairs (SECO) said Saturday.


The latest statistics from SECO predicted a growth rate of 0.9percent for 2017, which has fallen from previous estimates of 1.4percent, possibly marking the worst-performing economic year sincea 2.2 percent contraction in 2009.


SECO said the economy is "only gradually resuming a strongergrowth trajectory", mostly due to slow growth in most servicesectors Julien Davenport Jersey , despite an uptick in the performance of the manufacturing,hotel and catering industries.


The figures are in line with similar downgrading of expectationsby the Swiss National Bank.


Earlier this week, Credit Suisse revised its forecast from 1.5to 1 percent, noting decreased dynamism of some recent growthdrivers including high immigration and a housing boom.


However, SECO seems to be optimistic that stronger growth wouldtake off again next year, predicting a two-percent growth for 2018 D'Onta Foreman Jersey ,due to predicted global growth and the effect of the currentdepreciation of the Swiss franc.


"The Swiss export sector is benefiting from the healthy globaleconomy, and will do so all the more if the Swiss franc, which hasdepreciated in the summer, maintains its new level," SECO said.


It also noted that domestic demand is expected to gain momentumfrom 2018, with the private consumption expecting to achievemoderate growth. Meanwhile Zach Cunningham Jersey , the job market is also tipped to slowlyimprove by a 0.8-percent rise next year, SECO claims, bringing theunemployment rate down to three percent. Enditem


ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Ethiopia's economy for showing strong resilience during the past fiscal year amid continued weak global prices for Ethiopia's key exports and the reemergence of drought conditions in parts of Ethiopia.


International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Julio Escolano, an advisor for IMF's African department, had paid a working visit to Ethiopia from September 13 to 26 to conduct the 2017 Article IV consultation discussions with the Ethiopian government.


In an assessment report released Wednesday Deshaun Watson Jersey , the team commended Ethiopia's economy for maintaining strong resilience despite the back-to-back drought that wreaked havoc in some parts of the east African country.


"The Ethiopian economy showed strong resilience in 201617 amid continued weak global prices for Ethiopia's key exports and re-emergence of drought conditions in parts of the country. Real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by 9 percent in 201617," team leader Escolano said.


Prudent budget execution led to a lower-than-planned fiscal deficit, estimated at 2.5 percent of GDP, the assessment indicated. IMF further advised the Ethiopian government that monetary policy should also be tightened so as to complement the restrictive fiscal stance.