ADB cuts growth Asia forecast for 2015, 2016July 16, 2015 - 15:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cut its 2015 and 2016 growth forecasts for China and the rest of Asia, largely as a result of the slower than expected growth in the region's largest economy and in developed economies elsewhere, Reuters reports. Developing Asia is now expected to grow 6.1 percent and 6.2 percent this year and in 2016 against the ADB's March forecast of 6.3 percent for both years, the bank said in its 2015 outlook supplement released on Thursday, July 16. Growth in East Asia is still seen as subdued with lower-than-forecast output across the region. China's growth is seen moderating to 7.0 percent this year and 6.8 percent in 2016 compared to March estimates of 7.2 percent and 7.0 percent, the bank said. The ADB raised slightly its 2015 forecast for South Asia to 7.3 percent against 7.2 percent in March, as an expected strong outturn in Bangladesh offsets weak growth in disaster-hit Nepal and with India's economy seen supported by strong farm growth and fresh investments. Southeast Asia's growth is seen a shade weaker at 4.6 percent this year and 5.1 percent next year compared to March estimates of 4.9 percent and 5.3 percent following disappointing economic output in the region so far this year, the ADB said. Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, is expected to grow at 5.0 percent this year before rising to 5.6 percent in 2016, lower than March estimates of 4.9 percent and 5.3 percent, as reforms of the new government take time to materialise and state spending slowed. Inflation in the region in 2015 is now forecast to be a slightly lower at 2.4 percent, compared to the 2.6 percent seen in March. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |