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IMF sees 4.2 pc world growth in 2000

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund, in confidential forecasts obtained by Reuters on Monday, projected world economic growth of 4.2 percent this year as the US economy powers ahead.

The new estimate, due to be released on April 12 in the IMF's twice-yearly World Economic Outlook, was an increase from the 3.5 percent growth it projected in its last outlook in October, and from the 4 percent forecast by a senior IMF official last week.

The international lender also projected that world gross domestic product would expand by 3.9 percent in 2001.

The document also said the US economy will likely grow 4.3 percent this year and, in a soft landing, slow to 3 percent in 2001. US output rose 4.1 percent in 1999.

IMF media chief Thomas Dawson declined to comment on the figures.-Reuters