Central bank estimates Ukraine's GDP growth in 2019 at 3.3%

The National Bank of Ukraine estimated Ukraine's real GDP growth in 2019 at 3.3%, that's according to NBU governor Yakiv Smolii.

"We expect GDP growth in 2019 to be at 3.3%," he told reporters Thursday.

Deputy NBU chief Dmytro Solohub further explained that the estimate was based on a 2.2% GDP growth rate in the fourth quarter of last year.

At the same time, he noted that in the first quarter of this year, economic growth would accelerate.

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"This year we expect a slight acceleration of our economy. Regarding the first quarter, our current estimate is GDP growth above 3%," he said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the National Bank retained its forecast for real GDP growth in Ukraine in 2020 at 3.5%. The growth of real GDP of Ukraine in the third quarter of 2019 amounted to 4.1% in annual terms. The expected growth rate for 2019 as a whole at about 3.5% will be the highest over the past eight years. According to recent forecasts, the International Monetary Fund expects economic growth in Ukraine in 2020 at 3%, and the World Bank – at 3.7%.

The Ukrainian government predicts an increase in real GDP of Ukraine this year at 3.7%, but intends to revise its forecasts.