World Bank: GDP growth in Iraq is 0.9% annually and the debt rate has improved
World Bank: GDP growth in Iraq is 0.9% annually and the debt rate has improved
2021-10-11 09:15
Shafaq News/ The World Bank announced that the gross domestic product in Iraq grew by 0.9% on an annual basis in the first half of 2021, expecting an improvement in the debt-to-GDP ratio.
The bank said in a report seen by Shafak News Agency; “Economic growth in Iraq is gradually recovering after the pandemic-related contraction last year, due in part to the rise in non-oil activity,” expecting that “improving global oil market conditions will enhance growth in the medium term and transform public and external financial balances into surpluses from 2021, and the recent rise in debt will be reflected.”
He added, “Iraq’s GDP grew in the first half of 2021, by 0.9% on an annual basis, and the non-oil economy grew by more than 21% in the first half of 2021 (on an annual basis) due to the strong performance in the service sectors. “This recovery has outpaced the slowdown in the oil sector, with a 10% drop in the first half of 2121, as Iraq adapted to its quota in OPEC+ early in the year,” he said.
He pointed out that “the prospects for the Iraqi economy have improved with the recovery in global oil markets, but the spread of new COVID-19 variables and the challenges of climate change are major headwinds,” expecting the economy to gradually recover against the background of high oil prices and OPEC + production quotas that are scheduled to be gradually canceled In 2022, oil GDP will therefore be the main driver of growth in the medium term.
The bank expected that “Iraq’s non-oil GDP will recover but remain below 3% on average in 2021-2023 due to the impact of the new COVID-19 Delta variable along with water and electricity shortages affecting agriculture and industries. The fiscal balance should remain in surplus over the medium term, leading to a steady improvement in the debt-to-GDP ratio.
shafaq.com
