Economic growth ‘to be maintained’

By Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent

The forecasts for Irish GDP growth and inflation for this year and 2004 are very positive according to the economic outlook released by UNICE yesterday, but IBEC which is a member of UNICE says the country's business climate will remain static.

Ireland's GDP growth, estimated to be 3.5% this year, is forecast to grow by 3.8% next year the highest in the EU and well above the average of 2.2%.