Andina

IMF: Peru's GDP growth to stabilize at 4.0% in medium term

12:04 | Lima, Jul. 29.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated on Monday that Peruvian economy will expand 3.7% this year and such growth is projected to stabilize at around 4.0% in the medium term.

According to Alejandro Werner, head of the IMF's Western Hemisphere Department, growth was revised down, albeit modestly, to 3.7% in 2019 due to a weak outturn in the first quarter.

Downside risks remain prominent, including lower commodity prices, continued trade tensions, and low implementation of public investment. 

"Growth is projected to stabilize at around 4.0% in the medium term, with robust private domestic demand offsetting a gradual fiscal consolidation," he said.

Headline inflation is expected to remain within the Central Bank's target range of 1%-3%.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Economic activity in Latin America and the Caribbean remains sluggish. Real GDP is expected to grow by 0.6% in 2019 —the slowest rate since 2016— before rising to 2.3% in 2020.

The weak momentum reflects negative surprises in the first half of 2019, elevated domestic policy uncertainty in some large economies, heightened US-China trade tensions, and somewhat lower global growth.

(END) NDP/RMB/MVB

Published: 7/29/2019