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The article presents economic forecasts for New Zealand for 2008-2009. Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2008 is forecasted at 1.4%, down from 3.5% in 2008 and will accelerate to 2.2.% in 2009. Consumer price inflation is expected to average at 3% a year during the period. The current-account deficit is forecasted to contract to 7% of GDP in 200 , from 7.9% in 2007, and then narrow slightly to 6.9% in 2009.

The article presents economic forecasts for Canada for 2008-2009. A significant slowdown in economic growth is expected in 2008, with growth falling to 1.3%. There will be a slowdown in residential construction activity because of tighter borrowing conditions. Inflation is forecasted to remain below the target for 2008 and the headline rate to fall, on average, to 1.7%. The current-account balance is likely to move into deficit in 2008 and will deteriorate further in 2009.

The article reports on the economic performance of Egypt, as of March 2008. The first exports of Egyptian natural gas to Israel took place in the middle of February. Dubai port operator DP World has acquired a 90 percent stake in the Sokhna Port Development Co. in February. The Central Bank of Egypt reported a small current-account deficit of U.S.$246 million for the first half of 2007/2008.

The article offers economic and political forecasts for Slovakia for 2008-2009. Though the government is forecasted to survive throughout the period, the risk of the coalition breaking up is high given the increased tensions between government parties. The current administration, or any centered on Direction-Social Democracy (Smer-SD) party is expected to alter further free-market reforms of the previous government. A reduction in current-account deficit is expected because of strong increase in exports.

The article presents an economic forecast for the U.S., from 2008 to 2009. The Economist Intelligence Unit has revised its forecast for U.S. growth to 0.8 percent in 2008 and 1.4 percent in 2009. The authors expect that below-trend growth will help contain inflationary pressures over the forecast period, bringing the headline rate of inflation to an average of 2.4 percent. The current-account deficit is expected to narrow in relative terms over the forecast period.

The article presents an economic forecast for Estonia, from 2008 to 2009. It states that rapid wage growth is pushing up the costs of firms and will lead to a squeeze on corporate profitability. According to the article, the absence of any more increases in excise duties and weaker demand pressures are forecast to allow inflation to fall to 4.8 percent in 2009. The authors estimate a current-account deficit of 14.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007, falling to 13.7 percent of GDP in 2008 and to 13.2 percent in 2009.

This article discusses the trends in international trade activities in Romania in 2007. According to the Business Intelligence Unit, the current-account deficit doubled year on year from January to July. The unit attributes the growth to the country's accession to the European Union that has spurred the growth of imports while exports remain sluggish. The unit also observes that foreign investment inflows are slowing, and external debt is rising rapidly.

The article offers economic policy outlook for Romania for the period 2007 to 2008. The consolidated budget deficit of the country could exceed the Maastricht criterion of 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 and 2008, resulting in current-account deficits in excess of 11% of GDP. The government is projecting that annual consolidated budget revenue will exceed initial forecasts by 0.3% of GDP. Year-on-year inflation would continue to fall in the second quarter of 2007.

The article presents economic forecasts for Romania for the period 2007 to 2008. An economic slowdown is expected during the forecast period, with growth driven largely by domestic demand. Crude oil price increases will have a negative impact on domestic inflation and on the current-account deficit in 2007-08. The economic growth of the country is likely to lead to a worsening macroeconomic imbalance.

The article presents economic and political outlook for the Czech Republic for 2007 to 2008. The government's public finance reform bill is believed to experience difficulty in winning approval due to dissent within the ruling coalition over reform measures. Further interest rate rises are likely following the rate increase in May 2007, in order to keep consumer price inflation in check. Current-account deficit is expected to stabilize at about 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

The article presents economic and political outlook for Greece for 2007 to 2008. It is projected that reforms to change the way in which university rectors and teaching staff are chosen will be enacted despite demonstrations and strikes organized by students and staff. There are no results expected on the ongoing debate on pension reform during the forecast period. The current account is expected to continue to record substantial deficits.

The article offers an outlook for the political and economic environment of Bosnia & Hercegovina for the period 2007-08. The plan to close the Office of the High Representative by mid-2007 will mark a turning-point on the domestic political scene. It has been predicted that real GDP will grow in the above-mentioned period at around the same annual rate as in 2006. Inflation will fall back and the current-account deficit will remain large in the above-mentioned period.

The article offers information on foreign trade activities in Poland. Domestic demand has triggered the growth in imports. The European Union remains the main trading partner of Poland. According to data given by the National Bank of Poland, current account deficit fell. In the third quarter of 2006, trade deficit escalated.

The article presents the economic forecast for Poland for 2007 and 2008. Increases in wages will cause improvements in private consumption. Capital investments will be supported by funds coming from the European Union. In 2007 and 2008, inflation rate will increase if monetary policies are tightened. In 2008, current account deficit is expected to be 3.2 percent of gross domestic product.

The article presents an economic forecast for Slovakia in 2007 to 2008. The annual average oil prices is forecast to be U.S.$65 per barrel in 2007 and will decrease slightly in 2008. Capital spending will remain strong in the forecast period, compared with 2005 to 2006, as more sluggish investment in the car assembly plants is partly countered by new greenfield projects. The current-account deficit is expected to narrow to 5.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2007 to 2008.

The article reports on the foreign trade and payments of the economy in Turkey. The high international oil prices reflects that the U.S. dollar value of imports on mineral oils and fuels were 44.7 percent. According to balance of payments data that Central Bank of Turkey reserves decreased by $3 billion. The large trade deficit combined with a decline in the services surplus to swell the current-account deficit amounted to $20.8 billion.

The article presents outlook on the political and economic conditions in Afghanistan for 2006 to 2008. Security concerns will dominate during the forecast period as the government seeks to assert its authority amid political tension. Gross domestic product growth for 2006-07 is likely to exceed that in 2004-05 reflecting stronger agricultural growth. The country's current-account deficit is expected to widen in 2006-07.

The article focuses on the issues regarding fiscal stabilization in the U.S. The author also discussed the reduction in the budget deficit that has been considered as the well above target. It has been mentioned that the government had failed to enact the 2006 budget appropriations bill. It means that the government have limited scope to boost its spending.

This article states that the trade balance of the Czech Republic in July 2006 weakened. The weakening was mainly due to increase in the deficit for mineral fuels, with imports increasing by 28.4 percent year on year. The country's export is slowly showing signs of diversification. In the first seven months of 2006, the country's merchandise exports rose by over 14 percent.

The article presents economic and political outlook for Iraq for 2006 to 2007. The government will struggle to make an impact on the sectarian conflict being waged by Iraqi militias for political and territorial advantage. The country is unlikely to see a marked reduction of violence over the forecast period. A reduction in current-account deficits is expected. External debt is likely to decrease by 2008.

The article presents an outlook for the political and economic conditions in Bulgaria in 2006 to 2007. An overview of the country's domestic politics, including the presidential election in October 2006 and its international relations with the European Union is discussed. It also provides a forecast of the country's inflation rate, GDP growth and current account deficit.

Discusses the international trade sector of Slovenia. Growth in exports in the fourth quarter of 2005; Role of high oil prices in nominal import growth; Level of exports destined for European Union countries; Current-account deficits in 2005.

The article presents an outlook for the economic forecast in Hungary for 2006-2007. Real GDP growth in the euro zone, which is the most important market for Hungarian exports, is estimated at 1.2% in 2005, but is forecast at an annual rate of 1.9% in 2006 and 2007. Average consumer price inflation was 3.6% in 2005, and this low inflation is the result of the tight monetary policy pursued in recent years. Hungary's exceptionally high interest rates have kept the forint remarkably strong for a long period. The current-account deficit is estimated to have fallen to 7.3% of GDP in 2006 which reflects a strong surplus on the services account and a reduced trace deficit.

The article presents information on the developments in the foreign trade sector in Spain as of May 2006. The year 2005 was another disappointing year for Spanish foreign trade and payments as the value of merchandise exports rose by a modest 4.8% while the cost of imports jumped by 11.9%. Earnings from non-EU markets were far more robust, expanding by 12.2% in 2005 as a whole and by 15% in the final quarter of 2005. The widening trade gap, along with a sharp decline in Spain's traditional surplus in invisibles, has continued to increase the country's chronic current-account deficit

This article provides information on the foreign trade and payments of Latvia. Compared with 2004, Latvia's exports in 2005 grew by almost 34% at LVL2.9 billion and the value of imports grew by 27% to LVL4.8 billion. The share of minerals, mostly fuels, in Latvia's import bill increased from less than 10% to almost 16% from 2002 to 2005. In 2005, Latvia's current-account deficit reached LVL1.1 billion. The main source of financing for the large deficit is still the foreign borrowing of Latvian banks.

The article presents information on the economic policy of Turkey. Turkey's principal export market, will increase from 1.3% in 2005 to 1.7% in 2006 and 2% in 2007. Nevertheless, this benign central forecast laces a number of risks. The most noticeable risk is that posed by the burgeoning U.S. current account deficit, itself a result of heavy borrowing by consumers, business and government. If one or more of these sectors were to economize, there could be a sharp weakening of the U.S. demand, which could be accompanied by a more severe weakening of the U.S. dollar than in the central forecast.

The book presents information on the political and economic condition of Thailand as of January 2006 and offers an outlook for fiscal year 2006-2007. Factors that contributed to the declining image of Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are revealed. Estimated real gross domestic product growth in 2006-2007 is given. Revisions were made to the estimates of the Economist Intelligence Unit on the country's current account deficit in 2006.

The book presents information on the political and economic condition in Slovakia as of January 2006 and offers an outlook for fiscal year 2006-2007. The political impact of the exit of the Alliance of the New Citizen is revealed. A forecast on the annual real gross domestic product growth in 2006-2007 is revealed. A decline in the country's current-account deficits is predicted.

The book presents information on the political and economic condition in Pakistan as of January 2006 and offers an outlook for fiscal year 2006-2007. An opposition to Pakistani President and Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf's way of handling the relief effort following an earthquake in October 2005 is mentioned. Average annual inflation rate in 2006 is given. An expansion of the current-account deficit in 2007.

The article presents an outlook for the economic condition in Portugal from 2006 to 2007. The economy is expected to recover moderately by 0.7 percent in 2006 due to recovery in business investment. The size of the U.S. current-account deficit and the scale of the capital inflows could renew upward pressure on the euro. Growth in imports is expected to increase due to private investment demand and demand for inputs in the export industries.

The book presents information on the political and economic situation in Thailand as of December 2005 and offers an outlook for fiscal year 2006-2007. A decline in the popularity of Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Average real gross domestic product growth for 2006 is estimated. The situation of current account deficits in 2006-2007 is described.

The article presents the political and economic outlook for Poland for 2006 to 2007. Inflation rate is expected to remain low. The current-account deficit of the country is perceived to gradually increase. The position of Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz in the government is likely to get much more difficult during the forecast period.

The article presents the political and economic outlook for Iran for 2006 to 2007. It is perceived that the country remains unlikely to accept any initiative that prevents it from completing the full nuclear cycle if it does not form part of a broader package. Strong surpluses will be registered for the current account of the country and its gross fiscal account will fall into deficit in fiscal 2007.

The article presents the political and economic outlook for Australia for 2006 to 2007. It is noted that the government appears unlikely to make significant changes to the legislation. The annual inflation rate is expected to stay just within the target range set by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The current-account deficit of the country is likely to narrow by 2007.

Focuses on the status of foreign trade and payments of Egypt as of November 2005. Decrease in current account from April to June 2005; Increase in merchandise imports; Contribution of foreign direct investment to capital-account surplus.

Presents a forecast on the economic condition of Slovakia for 2006 and 2007. Possible contributions of investment and export expansion to economic growth; Factors that drive inflation; Decline in current-account deficit.

Presents an update on foreign trade and payments of Slovakia as of November 2005. Improvements in foreign trade balance; Influence of the deterioration in foreign trade balance on current-account deficit; Changes made by ratings agency Fitch in the country's long-term foreign-currency rating.

Offers a look at foreign trade and payments in the U.S. as of September 2005. Volume of international trade in goods and services from January to July; Amount of the country's current-account deficit; Data on balance of payments from 2003 to the first quarter of 2005.

Export growth outpaced import growth in euro terms in the first four months of the year. Exports to the euro zone defied the economic slowdown in that area, with sales to Italy and France growing strongly. The current-account deficit in the first quarter increased slightly year on year in euro terms, owing to outflows of current transfers to the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the political and economic outlook for Bulgaria for 2005 to 2006. Possibility of a coalition between the Bulgaria Socialist Party and the Simeon II National Movement; Slowdown in annual real gross domestic product growth; Expected current-account deficit of the country.

The Central Bank of Iraq has released new current-account data for 2004, showing a far greater trade deficit than previously estimated. New data put foreign reserves at US$7.99bn at end-2004, and US$9.82bn at end-March 2005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the political and economic outlook for Czech Republic for 2005 to 2006. Political party that is likely to handle governance in the country after the June 2006 parliamentary election; Real gross domestic product growth; Status of its current-account deficit.

The current account registered a surplus of 5.2% of GDP and the capital account a deficit of 4.3% of GDP in calendar 2004. Inward direct investment rose in the last quarter, in part as hydrocarbons-related inflows were included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forecasts the economic growth in the U.S. for 2005 to 2006. Outlook for world gross domestic product growth; Overview of the financial performance of the corporate sector; Impact of the U.S. current account deficit on its economy.

Reports on foreign trade and balance of payments of the Netherlands. Factors that contributed to the continued widening of trade surplus; Percentage increase of export value in the final quarter of 2004; Implications of the faster merchandise exports than the pace of imports.

The article presents the political and economic outlook for Tajikistan for 2005 to 2006. The People's Democratic Party is expected to remain in its dominant position in parliament after the February 2005 elections. The weak implementation of structural reforms and investments will contribute to a decline in average annual real gross domestic product growth over the forecast period. The continuing increase in import costs will also push the current-account deficit upwards.