Improving fundamentals, optimism and 2006 What then do we see in 2006. We continue to face uncertainties, but I believe the country’s improving economic fundamentals should give us a reasonable degree of optimism about 2006. Economic activity, for one thing, is likely to continue at a reasonable pace, driven mainly by the services and industry sectors.
Nonetheless, the rise in oil prices over the past year is likely to take its toll on domestic demand, particularly on consumption spending. For this reason, the development budget coordinating committee is looking at real GDP growth in 2006 that is likely to be closer to the lower end of its target at 5.7 percent.