The document provides an overview of recent macroeconomic developments and forecasts for Latvia and its major trade partners. Some key points:
- The IMF revised down GDP growth forecasts for 2014 globally and for Russia, Finland, Lithuania and Estonia. Forecasts were upgraded for other countries except the US.
- Eurozone recovery is ongoing but constrained by high unemployment and debt. German growth is slowing. Estonian GDP fell in Q1 due to weak demand from Finland and Russia. Lithuanian growth relied on domestic demand.
- Latvian exports rebounded in early 2014 after declining previously, though confidence is falling due to Russian-Ukrainian tensions. Inflation and growth forecasts for Latvia were revised down for 2014.