Saturday, 18 May 2013 03:12
Posted by Abdul Ahad
MEXICO CITY: Mexico cut its 2013 growth forecast on Friday after the economy expanded less than expected in the first quarter due to slumping industrial production and near stagnant exports.Latin America's second biggest economy after Brazil is now expected to grow by 3.1 percent this year instead of 3.5 percent, the finance ministry said.The forecast was revised after Mexico posted growth of just 0.8 percent in the first quarter compared to the same January-to-March period last year -- lower than the government's 1.0 percent forecast.Deputy Finance Minister Fernando Aportela said the new 2013 forecast "will have implications for the management of national public finances" since it will mean less revenue for the state.Although the government will review its spending, Mexico can still rely on its oil revenue, which represents a third of the nation's tax income, with a $2.2 billion stabilization fund, Aportela told a news conference.The finance ministry said ...