IMF sees deeper recession, slower recovery

The International Monetary Fund said the global recession will be deeper and the recovery slower than previously thought as financial markets take longer to stabilize.

The Washington-based IMF said in a new forecast released yesterday that the world economy will shrink 1.3 percent this year, compared with its January projection of 0.5 percent growth. The lender predicted expansion of 1.9 percent next year instead of its earlier 3 percent projection.

The fund's latest outlook highlights the precarious state in which the world economy remains, even amid signs the worst slump since World War II may be easing. Recovery isn't assured and will depend on policy efforts to cleanse banks' balance sheets and craft measures that spur demand, the IMF said.