Woes in China, emerging Asia hit 2015 import growth: World Bank

[WASHINGTON] Global merchandise import growth slowed to 1.7 per cent in 2015 as China's slower growth path and difficulties in commodity exporting countries reduced trade volumes, a World Bank report showed on Wednesday.

The tepid growth in 2015 compared to 3 per cent growth in 2014, with emerging markets in Asia accounting for most of the reduction. Had China's imports remained flat, world merchandise import volume growth for 2015 would have been 2.1 per cent, the World Bank said.

REUTERS