February 22, 2026Feb 22, 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

Chinese FM warns Japan against repeating past mistake

Chinese FM warns Japan against repeating past mistake

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Japan against its moves to revive militarism in Munich, Germany, on February 14. Stressing

February 21, 2026

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Japan against its moves to revive militarism in Munich, Germany, on February 14. Stressing

Chinese cadres get together for lunar New Year greeting

Chinese cadres get together for lunar New Year greeting

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of China held a meeting for lunar New Year greeting in

February 20, 2026

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of China held a meeting for lunar New Year greeting in

Ninth Congress of WPK opens with splendour

Ninth Congress of WPK opens with splendour

All the Party members and other people in the DPRK, absolutely convinced that the Korean revolution would always emerge victorious

February 20, 2026

All the Party members and other people in the DPRK, absolutely convinced that the Korean revolution would always emerge victorious

Norwegian prime minister denounces US’ diplomatic and trade policy

Norwegian prime minister denounces US’ diplomatic and trade policy

The Norwegian prime minister criticized the US’ diplomatic and trade policy in his speech at the parliament on February 12.Europe’

February 20, 2026

The Norwegian prime minister criticized the US’ diplomatic and trade policy in his speech at the parliament on February 12.Europe’

Congratulatory group of GAKC arrives in Pyongyang

Congratulatory group of GAKC arrives in Pyongyang

A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang on

February 20, 2026

A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang on

People's art festival closes

People's art festival closes

The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 came to an end. The festival performances were given at theatres and

February 20, 2026

The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 came to an end. The festival performances were given at theatres and

Industrial design exhibitions held in celebration of February 16

Industrial design exhibitions held in celebration of February 16

Industrial design exhibitions on the theme of "New era of regional transformation and industrial design" in celebration of

February 20, 2026

Industrial design exhibitions on the theme of "New era of regional transformation and industrial design" in celebration of

Fifth-stage construction of Hwasong area begins with grand ceremony

Fifth-stage construction of Hwasong area begins with grand ceremony

A ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist

February 19, 2026

A ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist

Ceremony of presenting 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers held

Ceremony of presenting 600mm-calibre multiple rocket launchers held

The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic

February 19, 2026

The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic

Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members tour Pyongyang

Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members tour Pyongyang

Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town

February 19, 2026

Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town

Performances of participants in People's Art Festival given

Performances of participants in People's Art Festival given

Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to

February 19, 2026

Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to

Delegates to Ninth WPK Congress visit Kumsusan Palace of Sun

Delegates to Ninth WPK Congress visit Kumsusan Palace of Sun

Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung

February 19, 2026

Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung

Russian representative censures West for misusing UNSC as tool

Russian representative censures West for misusing UNSC as tool

The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure

February 18, 2026

The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure

Chinese FM demands Japan's soul-searching

Chinese FM demands Japan's soul-searching

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,

February 18, 2026

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,

More Articles