Growth outlookdepends on regional economic environment, reduction of geopolitical risks and country-specific factors

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Countries in the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) continue to be influenced by the regional economic and security challengesbut are expected to sustain growth in 2015-16 according to the EBRD’s latest economic outlook.

http://www.ebrd.com/documents/comms-and-bis/rep-final.pdf

 

 

Armenia posted stronger than expected growth in the first half of 2015.Following a significant depreciation pressure at the end of 2014, the exchange rate stabilised in 2015 amid tight monetary conditions, central bank’s interventions in the beginning of the year and adjustment of the current account. Gross international reserves were on a downward path for most of 2014 and in January-February 2015 before increasing to close to four months of imports by September 2015. Public finances remained generally sound amid limited fiscal space. Regional economic slowdown resulted in lower remittances, lower imports and negative credit growth in the first eight months of 2015.The EBRD upgraded its Armenia’s GDP growth forecast to +2.3 per cent in 2015 and +2 per cent in 2016.

In Georgia, various factors, including the reduction of remittances because of the economic downturn in Russia, a sharp slowdown in regional trade and the domestic political uncertainty, affected domestic consumer and business confidence and growth.The Georgian lari has depreciated by more than 20 per cent against the US dollar since the beginning of 2015. The EBRD expects that growth in Georgia will moderateto +2.5 per cent in 2015and keeps its modest growth forecast of +2.6 per cent for 2016. 

In general, the outlook for economies where the EBRD invests remains split, with countries further to the east weighed down by the Russian recession and weak oil and other commodity prices. 

 

Regions further to the west are benefitting from a eurozone upturn and the impact of accommodating European Central Bank monetary policies.

 

According to the EBRD’s latest Regional Economic Prospects report, growth in the region as a whole is expected to slow to just 0.2 per cent this year, from 1.8 per cent in 2014. Moderate growth of 1.6 per cent is expected in 2016. These forecasts are unchanged from May, but they mask regional differences .

 

The Ukrainian economy, for example, is now expected to contract by 11.5 per cent this year, a deterioration of four percentage points since the May outlook.

 

Hans Peter Lankes, the EBRD’s acting chief economist, said, “We may be looking now for something of an upturn in 2016 after five consecutive years of slowdown. But there are significant risks on the downside.”

 

The report cites as risks a sharper than expected slowdown in China, a stronger-than-expected increase in US interest rates, political instability and geopolitical tensions and an uneven implementation of the bailout programme in Greece. 

 

The report notes that the refugee crisis that intensified sharply in 2015 is affecting the economies of a number of countries. 

 

Among “frontline” countries, Turkey is estimated to be hosting more than two million refugees, while in Jordan they account for almost one-fifth of the population. This massive influx has in some cases strained public services, government finances and labour markets.

 

Transit countries in south eastern Europe which have provided medical and social care, food, water, and accommodation for refugees are facing logistical and fiscal challenges. 

 

Broken down by region, the EBRD report sees a relatively strong outlook in central Europe and the Baltics, supported by Eurozone quantitative easing (QE) and lower commodity prices which are providing scope for easier monetary conditions in the region.

 

“The expected average growth rate of around 3 per cent in 2015 and 2016 provides for continued, albeit slow, convergence of income levels with those of advanced economies,” the report says.

 

Economies in south eastern Europe are also benefitting from QE in Europe, the weaker euro and lower oil prices. Growth is expected generally to pick up in 2015 and be maintained in 2016. Greece’s economy, however, is expected to contract both this year and next. 

 

The 2015 economic outlook in eastern Europe and the Caucasus  has worsened, affected by spill-overs from the recession in Russia and due to deeper recession in Ukraine and Belarus. 

 

However, Ukraine is expected to show growth again in 2016. The economy may have bottomed out in mid-year and be on the way to gradual recovery. The IMF programme in Ukraine remains broadly on track. 

 

Growth in Turkey is forecast to remain broadly unchanged at 3 per cent in 2015 and 2.8 per cent in 2016, below the country’s long-term potential. Weak domestic demand may be partly offset by an improvement in exports in 2016, as recovery in the Eurozone supports exports while weaker domestic demand and lower commodity prices reduce import bills.

 

The report stresses that Turkey is particularly vulnerable to the threat of capital outflows affecting emerging markets in light of expected increases in U.S. interest rates.

 

In Russia, output is expected to contract by 4.2 per cent in 2015 and 1.2 per cent in 2016, as consumption and investments decline in the face of significantly lower oil prices, which compound structural problems and the effect of economic sanctions. 

 

The recession is expected to ease in 2016 as the economy adjusts to lower oil prices. 

 

Growth in Central Asia is expected to decelerate significantly in 2015-16 compared with 2014 on account of lower commodity prices and the region’s strong economic ties with Russia.

 

In the southern and eastern Mediterranean region, forecasts have been revised up for Egypt because of strong investments. In Tunisia the growth outlook has weakened due to deteriorating domestic conditions while regional security problems are weighing on Jordan. Astrong agricultural performance is expected to lift growth in Morocco to 4.9 per cent in 2015. Growth is seen slowing to 3.8 per cent in 2016. 

 

 

 

 

  -   Economy