ID :
94177
Thu, 12/10/2009 - 16:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/94177
The shortlink copeid
President Lee says world economy still faces many uncertainties
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak urged continued efforts to fight economic difficulties Thursday, saying the country's economy is showing definite signs of improvement but that globally numerous uncertainties remain.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has twice raised its
outlook for the Korean economy this year, from a negative 4.5 percent contraction
to a positive 0.1 percent growth, noting the country made "one of the earliest
and strongest recoveries" in the world. The organization also forecast the South
Korean economy will grow 4.4 percent next year.
President Lee, however, has repeatedly warned against imprudence, noting the
country, over 70 percent of whose output depends on exports, cannot free itself
from the difficulties continuing to plague the rest of the world.
"There is a growing view that (economic) prospects for next year are somewhat
positive, but I believe that too many uncertainties remain in the global
economy," the president said at the start of a special seminar, attended by
government and private experts to set and review objectives for the country's
economy next year.
"In that regard, I believe we must not be complacent, at least until the end of
the first half of next year, and preemptively implement budget spending that will
help stimulate the economy," he added.
Seoul's measures to help stimulate the local economy will include swift
implementation of major government projects, such as a 22-trillion won (US$18.9
billion) plan to restore the country's four major rivers that is expected to
create tens of thousands of jobs.
To that end, the president will receive reports from all government ministries
and agencies on their respective projects for 2010 before the end of this year to
allow prompt implementation of the plans and budgets from the start of the new
year.
The president later stressed the need to prioritize government tasks and goals,
according to his spokesman Park Sun-kyoo.
"We cannot go after many goals simultaneously. We must prioritize our goals and
make sure that they are achieved before moving onto the next ones," Lee was
quoted as saying in a speech that wrapped up Thursday's near six-hour meeting.
He also called for quick approval of the government budget for next year by the
National Assembly, which failed to put the budget bill to a vote during its
100-day regular session that ended Wednesday. The parliament convened a 30-day
extraordinary session Thursday.
"The National Assembly has been very cooperative and I am confident it will
continue to be so. The opposition parties, too, have supported government policy
when the government needed their help," the president said, according to Park.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak urged continued efforts to fight economic difficulties Thursday, saying the country's economy is showing definite signs of improvement but that globally numerous uncertainties remain.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has twice raised its
outlook for the Korean economy this year, from a negative 4.5 percent contraction
to a positive 0.1 percent growth, noting the country made "one of the earliest
and strongest recoveries" in the world. The organization also forecast the South
Korean economy will grow 4.4 percent next year.
President Lee, however, has repeatedly warned against imprudence, noting the
country, over 70 percent of whose output depends on exports, cannot free itself
from the difficulties continuing to plague the rest of the world.
"There is a growing view that (economic) prospects for next year are somewhat
positive, but I believe that too many uncertainties remain in the global
economy," the president said at the start of a special seminar, attended by
government and private experts to set and review objectives for the country's
economy next year.
"In that regard, I believe we must not be complacent, at least until the end of
the first half of next year, and preemptively implement budget spending that will
help stimulate the economy," he added.
Seoul's measures to help stimulate the local economy will include swift
implementation of major government projects, such as a 22-trillion won (US$18.9
billion) plan to restore the country's four major rivers that is expected to
create tens of thousands of jobs.
To that end, the president will receive reports from all government ministries
and agencies on their respective projects for 2010 before the end of this year to
allow prompt implementation of the plans and budgets from the start of the new
year.
The president later stressed the need to prioritize government tasks and goals,
according to his spokesman Park Sun-kyoo.
"We cannot go after many goals simultaneously. We must prioritize our goals and
make sure that they are achieved before moving onto the next ones," Lee was
quoted as saying in a speech that wrapped up Thursday's near six-hour meeting.
He also called for quick approval of the government budget for next year by the
National Assembly, which failed to put the budget bill to a vote during its
100-day regular session that ended Wednesday. The parliament convened a 30-day
extraordinary session Thursday.
"The National Assembly has been very cooperative and I am confident it will
continue to be so. The opposition parties, too, have supported government policy
when the government needed their help," the president said, according to Park.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
