SECO still sees Swiss 2006 GDP growth 2.7 pct; hikes 2007 forecast to up 1.7 pct

The Swiss state secretariat for economic affairs (SECO) reiterated its forecast of 2.7 pct GDP growth for 2006, and raised its 2007 growth forecast to 1.7 pct from the 1.5 pct predicted in June. SECO left inflation forecasts unchanged, at 1.2 pct in 2006 and 1.0 pct in 2007. SECO also repeated its predictions for an unemployment rate of 3.3 pct this year and 2.8 pct next year.