CHINA GROWTH IN 2013 TIPPED TO REACH 8.23% WITH IMPORTS UP 18%

BEIJING - Economic growth in China is expected to increase by 0.43% from 2012 to reach 8.23% in 2013 according to Xiamen University and the Economic Information Daily, a subsidiary of Xinhua. Their report says 2013 export growth should increase almost 5% to 12%. Import growth is also due to increase, from just 4% last year to almost 18% this year. Inflation is predicted at 3.11%, up from 2.6% last year. The report is in line with Government projections, but analysts at Nomura argue that 8.23% is too high an expectation, indicating a figure around 7.7% is more likely.