OECD projects slowing economic growth in Hungary
The OECD projected Hungary’s GDP growth would slow to 2.1pc next year and 1.7pc in 2016 as „tight credit conditions” and an „uncertain business environment” limit investment, and fiscal stimulus winds up in a fresh economic forecast published. The projection for next year was raised from 1.6pc in the previous forecast published in May but is still under the government’s projection of 2.5pc. The OECD acknowledged that the National Bank of Hungary’s Funding for Growth Scheme, which supplies SMEs with cheap credit, had „gathered pace”, but said market-based corporate lending „remains tight”. It said compensation due retail banking clients under borrowers’ relief legislation approved in the summer would spur private consumption in 2015, but added that the measure risks further credit contraction by reducing bank profits.