EZRA SURUMA

摘要

Facing declines in export prices, a slowdown in remittances and continuing high agricultural input prices, Uganda's economy will struggle to hit the 7% to 7.5% growth initially estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Revised forecasts suggest that 5% to 6% is more realistic in 2009/10, although the east African country is still one of Africa's best performers.rnOver the past five years, growth has averaged 7-9% but inflation is the major preoccupation for finance minister Dr Ezra Suruma. Imported inflation from Kenya, food price rises and infrastructures issues, which feed import prices and slow regional economic integration, are feeding into an inflation rate of more than 14%.rnAddressing these concerns is likely to be a major focus of the country's finance ministry. In the medium term, Mr Suruma says he intends to encourage investment in building up the country's food reserves as a bulwark against future supply constraints.