According to the latest medium-term forecast released by the central bank (NBS) on Tuesday, Slovakia's economy should grow by 3.3 percent this year before gathering momentum and growing by 4.2 percent next year and by 4.6 percent in 2019. The growth should chiefly be driven by exports; however, private consumption should also have a pro-growth effect, to be joined by investments in upcoming years. In its latest prediction, the central bank revised its investment estimate downwards, as it forecasts the drawing of EU funds to be even slower than expected and public infrastructure projects to be shifted for later. Meanwhile, the central bank expects positive labour market developments to continue, thus supporting consumer demand.
Gavin Shoebridge, Photo: SITA
