China's new COVID policy increases global demand, eases supply chain pressure: report

The optimization of China's COVID-19 response policies increases global demand and eases supply chain restrictions, Finland's Labour Institute for Economic Research (LABORE) said in its economic forecast for 2023-2025 published on Thursday.

Most forecasters expect the country's economy to grow sustainably in the coming years following its recent adjustments in its COVID-19 response, the institute said.

Positive economic development in China increases global demand and eases the pressure on supply chains, thus having a positive effect on the global economy.

An exhibitor arranges audio products at the Consumer Electronics and Information Products exhibition section of the 133rd session of China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Concerning the global economy, the Finnish economic forecast said that widespread inflation and the resulting tightening of monetary policy were expected to impact global economic growth significantly. The continuation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the intensification of tensions between the United States and China also increase global uncertainty.

According to major forecasting agencies, the U.S. economy will slow significantly in 2023 and is expected to recover in 2024 and 2025. The economy in the eurozone will grow, even though the German economy is likely to weaken in 2023. The United Kingdom's economy is expected to contract this year and will not recover significantly in 2024.

Furthermore, LABORE's forecast says that Finland's economy will shrink 0.2 percent in the current year and will grow by 1 percent in 2024 and 2.7 percent in 2025.

Founded in 1971, LABORE's research focuses on labor economics, including education research, public finances and macroeconomics.