Tsunami to affect GDP growth: IMF

Tsunami to affect GDP growth: IMF

WASHINGTON: The economic impact in countries affected by the Dec.
26 tsunami ranges from almost none in Indonesia to as much as 5.5
percentage points in the Maldives, according to a study from the
International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF lowered its 2005 growth estimate for the Maldives to 1
percent from a September forecast of 6.5 percent, Sri Lanka to
5.25 percent from 6 percent, and Thailand to 5.5 percent from 6.4
percent.

The economic impact on India "is expected to be minor," the
Washington-based lender said.

The magnitude-9 earthquake unleashed a tsunami that destroyed
coastal areas in 12 Indian Ocean countries, killing more than
280,000 people. -- Bloomberg