World Economy

Apr 30, 2008

elgium, 1st euro area economy by slowing down
Wednesday, April 30, 16:45 Send E-mail via Y! Messenger Blog via Yahoo! 360 Print

BRUSSELS ( - Economic growth in Belgium has slowed in the first quarter, figures published by the central bank, which provided the first figures indicating the deterioration of the situation in the euro area over the first three months of the year.

The gross domestic product (GDP) of Belgium has increased only 0.4% compared to fourth quarter 2007 and 2.1% over the first quarter of last year, announced the central bank, confirming figures the fourth quarter (+0.5% and +2.4% respectively).

Belgium is the first euro-zone countries to publish an estimate of its growth in January-March. Estimates of growth in Germany, France, the Netherlands and throughout the area are expected May 15.

The Belgian central bank forecasts growth of 1.9% over the whole of 2008 after 2.8% last year.

by erectusplus at 8:05 AM |