IMF predicts regional growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that relatively robust economic growth will return to the Caribbean by next year.



The Fund says it expects gross domestic product to increase by 4.3 per cent in 2011.



However it says the recovery is likely to be less strong in commodity-importing economies in the region that have large tourism sectors.



These include Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados and St Lucia.



According to the Fund, weaker prospects for tourism, coupled with limited policy room to support the recovery, are expected to weigh on near-term growth.