REUTERS
The World Bank has retained a 2% economic growth forecast for Ukraine in 2017, WB Director for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova Satu Kahkonen said while presenting the updated projection.
The outlook for economic growth remains moderate, the official said, adding that Ukraine, however, will face certain challenges. So far, the World Bank forecasts a 2% economic growth for 2017, she said.
The WB representative named the key risks for the Ukrainian economy, i.e. a vulnerable environment in foreign markets and a trade blockade in Donbas, which would have a negative impact on steelmaking and power generation.
Read alsoWorld Bank may consider new targeted financial support programs for Ukraine – WB vice presidentAccording to the World Bank's updated forecasts, Ukraine will see a 3.5% economic growth in 2018 and a 4% rise in 2019.
The state budget deficit will account for 3.1% of GDP in 2017, 2.6% of GDP in 2018, and 2.4% of GDP in 2019, according to the World Bank estimates.
Ukraine's state and government-guaranteed debt will account for 88.8% of GDP in 2017, 83.5% of GDP in 2018, and 75.9% of GDP in 2019.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's GDP rose by 2.3% in 2016 against 2015, according to the State Statistics Service estimates. At the same time, economic growth has been recorded for the first time in Ukraine over the past four years after a 9.8% economic decline in 2015, a 6.6% fall in 2014, and zero growth in 2013.