ECB lifts 2017 growth, inflation forecasts

[FRANKFURT] The European Central Bank lifted Thursday its 2017 forecasts, with president Mario Draghi saying the bank expected growth of 1.7 per cent and inflation of 1.3 per cent by then.

In September, the bank had pencilled in 1.6 per cent growth and inflation of 1.2 per cent for next year. For 2018 the bank sees 1.6 per cent growth and 1.5 per cent inflation.

Mr Draghi also unveiled the bank's first projections for 2019, forecasting growth of 1.6 per cent and inflation of 1.7 per cent - closing in on the ECB's target of just under two per cent.

AFP