October 04, 2017 - 2:24 AM
HONG KONG - The World Bank has raised its growth forecast for the developing economies of East Asia and the Pacific but is warning that risks included rising protectionism and escalating tensions over North Korea.
In a report Wednesday, the bank forecast economic growth of 6.4 per cent for the region this year.
Growth is expected to ease to 6.2 per cent in 2018, mainly reflecting a gradual slowdown in China, Asia's biggest economy.
In its previous forecast in April, the Washington, D.C.-based lender projected a 6.2 per cent expansion in 2017 and 6.1 per cent for 2018.
While the outlook is broadly positive, the bank said economic nationalism could chill world trade.
Another big risk is tension over North Korea's nuclear and missile tests that could escalate into armed conflict.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017