Briefing Paper

BIDPA Briefing 1st Quarter 2005

“This issue of the BIDPA Briefing discusses the sectoral performance of the economy during the decade to 2003/04. Mining and Government sectors posted strong growth rates. They accounted for 38 percent and 18
percent, respectively, of the total increase in value added over the period. However, there were signs of slowing down throughout the rest of the economy. The Briefing also looks at the developments relating to
inflation, interest rates and exchange rates and trade. There has been a marked reduction in inflation over the period covering September 2003 to April 2005. This has recently been followed by a modest downward adjustment of the Bank Rate.The Briefing concludes by making some economic forecasts. The forecasts have taken into account the many challenges; domestic and international, that the economy faces as well as a number of policy initiatives that are expected to be adopted and implemented, which could
have major impacts on the economy over the next few years.”