GDP growth to fall in first half of 2006

Economic growth will slow to 9.6% in the first quarter of 2006 and 9.4% in the second quarter due to a deceleration in export growth, according to a State Information Center report. China's GDP increased 9.9% in 2005 following a 10.1% increase in 2004. The center also predicts a 2.2% year-on-year rise in the consumer price index during the first quarter and 1.9% in the second quarter, while the values of agricultural, industrial and service sector production will rise 4.5%, 11.1% and 9.1% respectively. Investment is set to rise 24% year-on-year in the first quarter and 22% in the second quarter, a slight fall on the 25.7% increase in fixed asset investment seen in 2005, which came despite government efforts to restrain it.