August 30, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-us-Saani 20, 1423

WASHINGTON, Aug 29: The International Monetary Fund on Thursday said Thailand’s economy was poised to grow this year, but reforms were still needed in the financial sector to make the expansion durable.

The Washington-based lender said in its annual review of the Thai economy that while progress had been made since the 1997 financial crisis tore through Asia and the world, local authorities had to remain vigilant of the global outlook and address problems in the financial sector.

The Asian nation’s economy is expected to grow 3.5 per cent this year, up from 1.8 per cent in 2001, the Fund said.

—Reuters