ASIA TO HOLD UP 2013 GLOBAL GROWTH TO 2.6% - COFACE

PARIS - Trade credit insurer Coface expects global growth to be almost stable in 2013 versus 2012, at 2.6%. It says GDP growth is going to be driven by emerging countries, and, more specifically, Asia. Coface has revised upwards its forecast for Japan (+1.4% this year) because of the expansionary monetary policy of Bank of Japan. Other forecasts: China, 8%; Philippines, Indonesia, 6.5%, Vietnam, 5.7%; India, 5.5%; Singapore, 3.4%; South Korea, 2.5%; Hong Kong, 2.2%; Australia, Taiwan, 2%.