„The economy most likely contracted in the first quarter. Besides, the forecasts on an economic growth of 0.8%-1% in 2010 are optimistic, considering the current climate and the (in) existent measures,” analysts at Romanian brokerage house X-Trade Brokers said.
The International Monetary Fund recently cut its growth forecast for Romania this year to 0.8% from 1.3% previously, due to weaker-than-expected economic results in the last quarter of 2009 and feeble consumption.
However, the IMF sees Romanian gross domestic product growing 5.1% in 2011, the biggest increase in the European Union.