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Eurozone growth lowered to zero Eurozone growth lowered to zero
(9 minutes later)
The eurozone's economy failed to grow at all in the last three months of 2009, revised figures have shown.The eurozone's economy failed to grow at all in the last three months of 2009, revised figures have shown.
The European Union's statistics office said that the quarter-on-quarter growth in the three months to December had proved to be zero.The European Union's statistics office said that the quarter-on-quarter growth in the three months to December had proved to be zero.
This was revised down from a previously reported 0.1%, according to Eurostat.This was revised down from a previously reported 0.1%, according to Eurostat.
Year-on-year, the economy of the 16 countries using the euro contracted by 2.2%, more than the previously estimated 2.1%.Year-on-year, the economy of the 16 countries using the euro contracted by 2.2%, more than the previously estimated 2.1%.
At the same time, the chief economist of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pier Carlo Padoan, said economic growth in the developed world was likely to slow down in the first half of 2010.At the same time, the chief economist of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Pier Carlo Padoan, said economic growth in the developed world was likely to slow down in the first half of 2010.
The OECD predicted that overall quarter-on-quarter growth for the G7 group of nations would be 1.9% in the first three months of 2010 and 2.3% in the second quarter, as against the 3.7% recorded in the last quarter of 2009.The OECD predicted that overall quarter-on-quarter growth for the G7 group of nations would be 1.9% in the first three months of 2010 and 2.3% in the second quarter, as against the 3.7% recorded in the last quarter of 2009.
"Economic activity gathered steam in most of the major OECD economies in the last quarter of 2009, with the notable exception of the euro area," the OECD said.
Debt reductionDebt reduction
Mr Padoan said Europe's urgent priority was to reduce levels of government debt that had climbed during the financial crisis. This should happen before interest rates started to rise, he added.Mr Padoan said Europe's urgent priority was to reduce levels of government debt that had climbed during the financial crisis. This should happen before interest rates started to rise, he added.
"We would not recommend that countries wait for market pressures to take action. If that happens, it means they're too late," he said."We would not recommend that countries wait for market pressures to take action. If that happens, it means they're too late," he said.
He also said that Greece should do this without further help from the rest of Europe.He also said that Greece should do this without further help from the rest of Europe.
The debt reductions should start in 2011, "or earlier where needed", according to the OECD economists.The debt reductions should start in 2011, "or earlier where needed", according to the OECD economists.
The group also said that an impediment to global growth was the high valuation of the Chinese currency.The group also said that an impediment to global growth was the high valuation of the Chinese currency.
"We all know one key currency that should move from its current level and appreciate," said Mr Padoan, referring to China's yuan."We all know one key currency that should move from its current level and appreciate," said Mr Padoan, referring to China's yuan.
But conversely, he said that European exporters were benefiting from a "devalued" euro, relative to the dollar.But conversely, he said that European exporters were benefiting from a "devalued" euro, relative to the dollar.