São Paulo – China plays a key role in the recovery of the world economy. The opinion was expressed by the chairman of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, and was published on the UN Radio website. According to him, the country is implementing decisive actions to help stabilise the world crisis and realign its economy to generate greater domestic demand.
The chairman of the World Bank arrived in the Asian country on Wednesday (2nd) for a three-day visit. According to him, the expected 9% growth of the Chinese economy in 2009, coupled with signs of stabilisation in other countries in Asia and worldwide, lead to believe that the chance of global recovery has increased significantly.
Zoellick stated that the China recovered its economy almost entirely by means of domestic trade. He claimed that this scenario has also helped Asian and Pacific countries that benefited from exports of raw materials to the Chinese market.
The World Bank chairman said that the challenge for the Chinese government is to increase domestic consumption through the strengthening of education and health programmes, financial reform and economic opening. Zoellick told the press that it is important for investment in domestic consumption programmes to continue.
Zoellick also talked about the commitment of the Chinese government to preserving the environment. According to him, China is going to invest US$ 85 billion in energy conservation and environmental protection in 2009 and 2010.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
