BUCHAREST, July 19: Romania’s economic growth could slow to 4.8-4.9 per cent this year compared with the targeted 5.2 per cent, but inflation could beat the 14 per cent target, Finance Minister Mihai Tanasescu said on Saturday.

I see economic growth at 4.8-4.9 per cent this year, Tanasescu told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar in the Black Sea town of Mangalia.

Tanasescu also said the ministry now expected the inflation rate to be around 12-13 per cent by the end of 2003.

He did not elaborate on the reasons of the expected drop in inflation but he had earlier said salaries were not rising as fast as expected.—Reuters