February 01, 2026Feb 01, 2026
KCNA Pyongyang Times

COVID-19 seriously affects global economy

Date: 25/03/2020 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

The rapid spread of COVID-19 over well over 100 countries and regions of the world seriously threatens the lives of people and deals a heavy blow to their economies as well.

According to the report to the UN conference on trade and development published in Geneva on Mar 9, the world economic losses caused by the spread of the new coronavirus will reach about US$ 2 trillion.

The report expected that the global economic growth rate which was estimated to rise by 2.7 percent this year will stay at about 1.7 percent due to the adverse effect of the epidemic.

Economic experts warned that the spread of COVID-19 would drive the weak Italian economy to the fourth worst recession in 12 years.

Japanese tourism is estimated to suffer US$ 1.29 billion income losses in the first quarter of the year.

With the world economic growth rate being expected to decline, the price of Brent crude dropped by about 25 percent as against the beginning of the year as of late February.

The International Energy Agency announced that the global oil demand curve would fall for the first time in the first quarter of the year in over a decade.

Now many countries and experts express great anxiety and apprehension over the negative effect of the rapid spread of the epidemic on the world economy and its consequences.

Russian President Putin said the last week of February became the worst one for the world market since the 2008 economic crisis and referred to the need to find a way to cope with adverse consequences in the economic sector.

Valentina Matvienko, chairwoman of the Russian Federation Council, said the spread of COVID-19 would cause at least one percent fall of the world economic growth rate and it would also affect the Russian economy.

The French economy minister told BFM TV that the current crisis would have a more serious impact on the world economic growth than SARS in 2003.

The Canadian finance minister expressed his concern over its potential negative impact on the country’s economy, especially petroleum industry, tourism and commerce.

The price of oil, one of its major exports, has dropped by 15 percent since the outbreak of the disease and it would have harmful effects on the whole country, he said.

Finance ministers and presidents of central banks of G-20 nations published a statement to express their anxiety over the crisis.

More From Pyongyang Times

Russian president’s press secretary censures European politicians

Russian president’s press secretary censures European politicians

Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, described European politicians as pitiable persons at a press conference o

January 31, 2026

Dmitri Peskov, the Russian president’s press secretary, described European politicians as pitiable persons at a press conference o

WHO director general censures US for quitting the organization

WHO director general censures US for quitting the organization

On January 22, the US formally left the WHO. The US claimed that its decision to leave the WHO was a reflection of the

January 31, 2026

On January 22, the US formally left the WHO. The US claimed that its decision to leave the WHO was a reflection of the

New history of socialist rural construction (2)

New history of socialist rural construction (2)

Strategic plan based on long-cherished desire The respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un unveiled a grand blueprint for the

January 31, 2026

Strategic plan based on long-cherished desire The respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un unveiled a grand blueprint for the

Cement complex fulfils monthly plan

Cement complex fulfils monthly plan

The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its national economic plan for January ahead of schedule. The complex conducted

January 31, 2026

The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its national economic plan for January ahead of schedule. The complex conducted

Russian FM spokeswoman decries reckless remarks of French president

Russian FM spokeswoman decries reckless remarks of French president

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized the French president for his provocative remarks at a

January 30, 2026

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized the French president for his provocative remarks at a

Innovations made in timber production in Jagang Province

Innovations made in timber production in Jagang Province

The Jagang Provincial Forestry Management Bureau is making innovations in the winter timber production. Thanks to the devoted

January 30, 2026

The Jagang Provincial Forestry Management Bureau is making innovations in the winter timber production. Thanks to the devoted

Cement and corrugated paper factories inaugurated

Cement and corrugated paper factories inaugurated

North Hwanghae Province has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Mill. Their successful renovation

January 30, 2026

North Hwanghae Province has remodelled the Unpha Cement Factory and the Unpha Corrugated Paper Mill. Their successful renovation

Meeting held to review farming in 2025

Meeting held to review farming in 2025

A meeting to review the farming in 2025 took place at the Cabinet on January 27 and 28 through video conferencing. The meeting was

January 30, 2026

A meeting to review the farming in 2025 took place at the Cabinet on January 27 and 28 through video conferencing. The meeting was

Credentials of Iranian ambassador accepted

Credentials of Iranian ambassador accepted

Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of

January 30, 2026

Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of

Modern farmhouses built in South Hwanghae Province

Modern farmhouses built in South Hwanghae Province

Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County of South Hwanghae

January 30, 2026

Modern houses have appeared at the Churung Farm in Samchon County and the Sinhwanpho Farm in Jaeryong County of South Hwanghae

Conference of headquarters of WPK Central Committee held

Conference of headquarters of WPK Central Committee held

A conference of the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the

January 30, 2026

A conference of the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held on January 28 amid the

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

Birthday spread sent to centenarian

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ju Chun Jo, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 12 of the

January 30, 2026

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Ju Chun Jo, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 12 of the

Canadian prime minister rejects US’ threat to impose tariff

Canadian prime minister rejects US’ threat to impose tariff

The Canadian prime minister expressed opposition to the US’ threat to impose tariff in relation to the Greenland issue on January

January 29, 2026

The Canadian prime minister expressed opposition to the US’ threat to impose tariff in relation to the Greenland issue on January

Modern farmhouses built in Kangwon Province

Modern farmhouses built in Kangwon Province

Along with a new era of the Korean-style rural development, farms in Changdo and Thongchon counties of Kangwon Province are

January 29, 2026

Along with a new era of the Korean-style rural development, farms in Changdo and Thongchon counties of Kangwon Province are

Kyongam Wood Processing Factory inaugurated

Kyongam Wood Processing Factory inaugurated

North Hwanghae Province built the Kyongam Wood Processing Factory in Sariwon City. This modern wood processing base with equipment

January 29, 2026

North Hwanghae Province built the Kyongam Wood Processing Factory in Sariwon City. This modern wood processing base with equipment

DPRK Missile Administration test-fires large-calibre MRLS

DPRK Missile Administration test-fires large-calibre MRLS

The Missile Administration of the DPRK conducted a test-fire on January 27 to verify the effectiveness of a large-calibre multiple

January 28, 2026

The Missile Administration of the DPRK conducted a test-fire on January 27 to verify the effectiveness of a large-calibre multiple

Laotian government sets forth major tasks for 2026

Laotian government sets forth major tasks for 2026

Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,

January 28, 2026

Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,

More Articles