
Qatar cuts 2015 growth forecast, sees deficit next year
Economic growth forecast to 7.3 percent from 7.7 percent and now expects its budget to swing to deficit next year
Qatar has cut its 2015 economic growth forecast to 7.3 percent from 7.7 percent and now expects its budget to swing to deficit next year, as opposed to a surplus projected six months ago, the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics said on Tuesday.
The forecast still implies a pick-up in real gross domestic product growth from 6.1 percent in 2014.
Oil prices remain a key risk to the outlook, which is based on average prices of $56.0 and $61.6 per barrel in 2015 and 2016 respectively, the ministry said in a semi-report report.