Economy Ministry forecast GDP growth at 3.5% in 2013

The Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine expects the country's GDP to grow by 3.5% in 2013, Economy Minister Petro Poroshenko has said.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the minister said that 3.5% GDP growth would be the basis for the state budget for 2013.

"The planned forecast (of GDP growth) is 3.5%," Poroshenko said.

The minister said that this week they would hold consultations with other agencies, and next week would present a forecast of macroeconomic indicators for this and next year.

According to him, this year's inflation will not exceed the 7.9% envisaged in the 2012 state budget.

As for GDP growth this year, the minister said it would be lower than the projected 3.9%.