Jordan Times
Monday, December 28, 1998
Alleged reports on Jordan's GDP dismissed by IMF
AMMAN (J.T.) — A senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official Saturday expected the l998 economic growth rate for the Kingdom to reach 2.2 per cent.
In a telephone interview from Washington with the Arabic daily Al Ra'i, published Sunday, Antonio Fredito, a senior officer in the IMF Middle East desk, dismissed as baseless reports that the IMF has recently issued a report forecasting a decline in Jordan's gross domestic product (GDP).
Fredito, who is in charge of following up Jordan's economy, said the IMF in September forecast a 2.2 increase in the GDP, adding that the fund's forecasts are based on indicators and statistics provided by the ministries and institutions concerned.
Last week, Planning Minister Nabil Ammari expcted the growth in GDP for 1998 to range between 2.2 and two per cent, based on estimates for the third quarter of 1998.
Commenting on reports about the IMF estimates published last week, Ammari said he has no information about the forecast quoted by the IMF and about the bases for the estimates.
Fredito said an IMF delegation will visit Jordan next month to discus expected GDP for 1999, noting that a series of meetings and consultation will be held with Jordanian officials to discus economic developments in 1998 and those predicted for 1999 in light of the state budget, the national development plan, economic activity and expected investment.
The delegation will hold talks with senior Jordanian officials on means of increasing the GDP in light of regional economic developments.