WTO sees goods trade growth slowing

GENEVA – Growth in global trade in goods may slow to about six per cent in 2007 from eight per cent last year as the world economy stammers, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said in a report released yesterday.

“Risks in financial and property markets and large trade imbalances in goods and services mean increased uncertainty in 2007 and raise the prospect of weaker economic and trade expansion in the coming year,” its 2007 annual report said. “The consensus among forecasts of around three per cent global economic growth in 2007 could slow merchandise trade growth to about six per cent, compared with eight per cent in 2006,” it said.Nampa-Reuters”The consensus among forecasts of around three per cent global economic growth in 2007 could slow merchandise trade growth to about six per cent, compared with eight per cent in 2006,” it said.Nampa-Reuters