Cautious Colombia economic optimism prevails in 2015
Subject
The growth outlook for 2015.
Significance
The pace of GDP growth declined slightly to 4.2% in the third quarter of 2014, according to the national statistics agency. Since the start of the second half of 2014 a significant supply shock in global oil and coal production -- Colombia's main export goods -- contributed to the slowdown in growth and resulted in the first negative balance of trade since 2007, accumulating a current account deficit of 4.4% of GDP.
Impacts
- Private consumption will likely slow as growing global uncertainty and low commodity prices affect consumer and investor confidence.
- Public investment should remain stable, supported by 4G infrastructure projects, housing and the recent tax reform.
- The trade deficit will persist as net exports are expected to decline further, representing a drag on GDP.
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