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Economy In Afghanistan Expected To Surge In 2003/4

Monday, April 28, 2003
BigNewsNetwork.com

Among the positive factors supporting strong growth, the ADO cites:



* An expected sharp economic rebound supported by new inward investment

* An influx of skills and entrepreneurship as large numbers of Afghans return to the country

* A substantial boost to demand and increase in business opportunities as a result of reconstruction activities



The economy of Afghanistan is likely to surge ahead in 2003 and 2004, provided the security situation improves and international support to reconstruction is maintained, according to a major ADB report released today.

The Asian Development Outlook 2003 (ADO), an annual ADB publication that looks at economic trends in the Asian and Pacific region, does not include an official growth forecast for Afghanistan, as economic statistics for the country are virtually non-existent. But it does note that, "annual economic growth in 2003-2004 could be well above 10% with inflation kept in reasonable check."

The ADO says that the growth rate depends crucially on improving the security situation, the Government's commitment to sound economic management, and continued donor support for reconstruction.
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Dan