For this reason, we believe it is important that as the economy returns to higher growth rates, we recover these buffers, in order to be well prepared for possible shocks in the future. Thus, this new cycle makes us once again face the challenge of laying the foundations for a more stable economy, so that negative cycles do not affect us as deeply as they used to in the past. The Central Bank will be available to do its part in this effort, especially in terms of controlling inflation and safeguarding financial stability, thereby contributing to the well-being of the Chilean population. Thank you for your attention. Now if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. ***  6  Figure 1 Growth forecasts (*) (real annual change, percent)  2017  2018 3.25  2.75  4  3.5  3  1.50  Sep.  3.5  2.50 2.00  1.75  3.5  Dec.  1.75  1.75  2.25  1.25 1.00  1.00  Mar. Jun. 16  Sep.  2.5  2.5  2.5  Jun. Sep.  Dec.  1.50  Dec.  Mar. 17  17  Mar. 18  (*) The ranges show the growth forecast in each Report. Red diamonds correspond to the Economic Expectations Survey at the respective statistical cutoff. Source: Central Bank of Chile.
16  17  18  19  20  Figure 10 Business expectations (IMCE) (1) (original index)  80  80  Investment expectations (2)  70  70 Present situation  60  60  50  50  40  40  30  30  Employment expectations (3)  20  20  10  10 10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  (1) Value above (below) 50 shows optimism (pessimism). (2) Simple average between expected investments in manufacturing and trade. (3) Simple average of expected employment in manufacturing, trade and construction. Source: Icare/Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez.