WHILE economic growth in OECD countries will slow in 2008, increased growth in emerging-market countries will help to offset the impact on the global economy. The credit squeeze and falling housing prices will take their toll in important markets: the Economist Intelligence Unit predicts that America and Japan will be among the ten slowest-growing economies next year. Wretched Zimbabwe will see its output shrink dramatically. Many of the fastest-growing economies, such as Angola and Sudan, will be fuelled by soaring oil and mineral prices. China too will continue to expand rapidly.

AFP