The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) released last week at its subregional headquarters in Mexico, the growth forecast for the year 2018 for Latin America and the Caribbean ie a growth of 1.5% up slightly from the previous year (1.2%), improvement due to domestic demand and investment, despite persistent external uncertainties.

The Dominican Republic (5.4%) and Panama (5.2%) will drive the Zone's economic growth, followed by Paraguay (4.4%), Bolivia (4.3%), Antigua and Barbuda (4.2%), Chile and Honduras (3.9%).

The two main economic powers of the sub-continent Brazil and Mexico will be satisfied with a modest growth, respectively of 1.6% and 2.2%.

The ECLAC study forecasts GDP growth of 1.8% in Haiti (3.9% forecast by the Haitian Government) for 2018 above 2017 (1.2%) and 2016 (1.5%).

It notes the modest output of the agricultural sector (0.8%) and small variations or deceleration trends in the sectors of trade (1.1%), manufacturing (1%), construction (0.9%) and financial services (1.6%).

Double-digit inflation continues for the third year in a row (15.4% at the end of 2017) and 13.6% in July 2018 (up) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25362-haiti-economy-monthly-inflation-accelerates-+-15-in-july.html This coincides with an increase in indebtedness, the increase in basic/essential products imports, such as fuel (+ 19%) and the depreciation of the gourd's exchange rate against the dollar.

Haiti's budget deficit was 4% of GDP in 2017 (3.3% in 2016) and the current account deficit was also up in 2017, 2.9% of GDP (1.0% in 2016), mainly because of imports.

Note that the ECLAC studies have been published since 1948 without interruption.

TB/ HaitiLibre