The European Commission this week increased its inflation forecasts for 2000 and 2001, and downgraded the chances of the euro zone outpacing the US market soon

Date: 23/11/00

In its autumn economic forecasts, the Commission predicted that the euro-zone economy would expand by 3.5&percent; this year and 3.2&percent; in 2001, up from 3.4&percent; and 3.1&percent; respectively in its spring forecasts, but that inflation would also be higher, at 2.3&percent; this year and 2.2&percent; in 2001. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank has decided to publish its internal economic forecasts for the euro zone to improve markets' understanding of its policies and answer criticisms that the bank is excessively secretive.