Economic growth below 1 percent in Q1

The 2009 general consolidated budget is based on a 2.5 percent economic growth and a budget deficit of 2 percent of the GDP.

'This trend of contraction in economy at the beginning of 2009 is to be more rapid later in the year. Nevertheless, along with the implementation of the economic recovery plan at international level, we expect that in the 2nd quarter of the year the economy should improve compared with the first quarter, when we estimate an economic growth below 1 percent,' Pogea said.

The official of the Ministry of Public Finance explained that the main trade partners of Romania, Germany, France and Italy, were to reduce their imports from Romania, which is going to significantly affect the country's economic growth pace.