The Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers and central bank governors met in Singapore Saturday to evaluate global economic outlook and discussed the ways to promote continued prosperity by addressing the opportunities and challenges lying ahead.

 

The G7 ministers and governors, in a statement after the meeting, said performance remains strong amid moderating growth in the Untied States, growth in the euro zone after accelerating should remain strong and more balanced in the second half of the year, growth in Britain is becoming stronger and more balanced, Canada remains on a strong balanced growth path and Japan has exited the zero-interest rate policy and its recovery is now broadly-based.

 

The statement said that the positive outlook, however, is not without potential downside risks, including tight and volatile energy markets, rising inflation expectations in some economies and the spread of protectionist tendencies.

 

The statement added that current high energy prices reflected both rising demand from strong global expansion and concerns about current and future supplies.

 

The statement said the G7 welcomed the resolution on quota and voice reform now being considered by the IMF governors and urged all members to support it.

 

The statement stressed the importance of advancing multilateral trade liberalization, and urged all parties to show political will and flexibility necessary to resume the Doha Development Round as soon as possible.

 

Chinese Finance Minister Jin Renqing discussed world economic development, especially Asian economic situation, with his counterparts from G7, Singapore and Thailand.

 

Finance ministers attending the meeting agreed that Asia has seen the most robust economic growth in the world. It's very important for the region to keep appropriate proportion of investment and consumption.

 

The ministers also called on Asian countries to take more proactive measures to promote policy readjustment according to their own situation, while strengthening exchanges on macro-economic policies with international community.

 

Jin, in his speech, explained China's finance measures in promoting domestic consumption. He also called on developed countries to adopt active and effective measures to promote the healthy development of world economy.

 

Jin and Governor of the People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan also attended a lunch meeting with central bank governors and finance ministers from the G7 here Saturday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2006)