Senegalese gov't expects economy to grow 4.3 percent

Senegal's economic growth rate will move from 3.7 percent in 2012 to 4.3 percent in 2013, Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye said Wednesday. "In 2012, despite a poor start to the first quarter, our economy will grow at the rate of 3.7 percent and it will be 4.3 percent in 2013," the prime minister said. He explained that it is this expected growth that has seen the country's bilateral and multilateral partners renew their commitment with the government. "This renewed confidence will see us increase the volume of funding to projects which will help to create jobs for the youth, women and for fighting against poverty. This aid will also help us to restore macroeconomic balance," Mbaye said. He said his intention is to ensure "efficiency in public expenditure and giving a chance to the private sector so that it can engage with women and youth as new development actors." "We must also significantly reduce the poverty levels which stand at 46.7 percent nationally and 69.3 percent in rural areas," he said.