According to these projections made by international organisations, the growth rates of the global economy and of the European economy are slowing down, but growth is continuing, despite the fact that a small number of euro area countries recorded zero or negative GDP growth in the first or the second quarter of 2008. 3.
According to available projections, while some downward revision during the next two months cannot be excluded, growth rates should remain positive in 2008, of the order of 1.5-2.1% in the euro area and 3.4-3.5% in Greece. In both cases, exports and domestic demand will remain the main drivers of growth, although their contribution to growth will be smaller than in 2007.