ACCELERATING ECONOMIC GROWTH PROMISES A RETURN TO NORMALITY FOR THE Ti02 VALUE-CHAIN

摘要

In its latest World Economic Outlook report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts global economic growth accelerating over the next two years, from 3.0% in 2013 to 3.6% this year and 3.9% next year. The report also notes: "Much of the impetus will come from the advanced economies. Growth will be strongest in the US at about 2.75%. Growth is projected to be positive, but varied, in the Eurozone: stronger in the core (notably Germany) but weaker in countries with high debt and financial fragmentation, which will weigh on domestic demand. In emerging market and developing economies, growth is projected to pick up gradually from 4.7% in 2013 to about 5.0% in 2014 and 5.25% in 2015. Growth in these economies will be helped by stronger external demand from the advanced economies, but tighter financial conditions will dampen domestic demand growth. In China, economic growth is projected to be about 7.5% in 2014 (slightly lower than in 2012/13), as the authorities seek to rein in credit and move ahead with reforms, while ensuring a gradual transition to a more balanced and sustainable growth path.