This assumption is based, firstly, on a projection of some further slow-down in the rate of expansion of the total domestic economic activity. Last year, the rate of growth in gross domestic production declined to 3.1 per cent, down slightly from the 3.4 per cent of 1995.
Honoured, I am pleased to be here with you today to discuss and hear about a very important topic for our country's economy, and I would like to thank the American Chamber of Commerce for the invitation and to express my high considerations for businesses and their role in the country's economic development.