With the fiscal stimulus package, real GDP growth rate in 1999 is expected to
be close to 1%, which is the official target. There are already signs that production in many
sectors have picked up, though from a very low base in 1998. The overall GDP growth is
however contingent on the US$ value of export being able to increase by about 3-4%. After
poor export performance in the first quarter, exports in April and May have been better,
though whether growth for the whole year can reach about 3-4% is still uncertain.