Uzbekistan’s average annual GDP growth in 2007-08 is expected to be higher than in 2006, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) said in its survey presented on 18 April.

UNESCAP’s survey “Surging Ahead in Uncertain Times” said Uzbekistan posted 7.3% growth of GDP in 2006. The UNESCAP said average annual GDP growth in Uzbekistan in 2007-08 is expected to be higher than in 2006, owing to favorable trends in global commodity prices -- particularly of its staple crop, cotton.

UNESCAP identified Caspian-basin and Central Asian states as fastest-growing economies in Asia. The report offers a broadly positive forecast for the Asia-Pacific economies, although it expects a slowing compared with 2006 levels.