IMF sees Slovak GDP up 6.3 percent this year

THE INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Slovakia's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 6.3 percent this year. According to the IMF's latest World Economic Outlook survey, which is published twice a year, Slovakia's economy should grow 6.7 percent next year. The IMF thus revised its estimate of Slovakia's economic growth in 2006 of 5.4 percent from September 21, 2005. At that time the IMF estimated that Slovakia's GDP would rise 5 percent in 2005. In reality the country's economy grew by 6 percent, the SITA news agency wrote. The expected rate should ensure that Slovakia remains the regional leader in GDP growth. The IMF expects that the average GDP growth rate in Central Europe will be 4.6 percent this year.