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 Vladimir Putin took part online in a ceremony of laying down the keel of the nuclear-powered ice-breaker
November 24, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin took part online in a ceremony of laying down the keel of the nuclear-powered ice-breaker
The proud entities of rural development have been created one after another in Rason Municipality, which is located in the
November 24, 2025
The proud entities of rural development have been created one after another in Rason Municipality, which is located in the
A fairyland village has appeared at the Hyongsan Vegetable Farm in Hyongjesan District of Pyongyang Municipality. The picturesque
November 24, 2025
A fairyland village has appeared at the Hyongsan Vegetable Farm in Hyongjesan District of Pyongyang Municipality. The picturesque
The Namap Farm in Yomju County in North Phyongan Province, one of the country’s ten best agricultural counties in 2024, has
November 24, 2025
The Namap Farm in Yomju County in North Phyongan Province, one of the country’s ten best agricultural counties in 2024, has
Thousands of junior officials and members of the women’s union in Ryanggang Province have volunteered for major fronts for
November 24, 2025
Thousands of junior officials and members of the women’s union in Ryanggang Province have volunteered for major fronts for
Rapid population growth and economic development are accompanied by the consumption of huge amounts of resources. The resources
November 23, 2025
Rapid population growth and economic development are accompanied by the consumption of huge amounts of resources. The resources
Kim Yong Rok was born and bred in Chollima District, Nampho Municipality. Unfortunately, he was injured in his two arms in an
November 23, 2025
Kim Yong Rok was born and bred in Chollima District, Nampho Municipality. Unfortunately, he was injured in his two arms in an
As the US plans new military exercises in the Caribbean, the Venezuelan President called for consistently heightening vigilance
November 23, 2025
As the US plans new military exercises in the Caribbean, the Venezuelan President called for consistently heightening vigilance
Young people in Kaesong and Rason municipalities volunteered to work on major fronts for implementing the decisions of the Workers
November 22, 2025
Young people in Kaesong and Rason municipalities volunteered to work on major fronts for implementing the decisions of the Workers
A hot wind of volunteering is blowing across the country. Young people in all parts of the country including the capital city of
November 22, 2025
A hot wind of volunteering is blowing across the country. Young people in all parts of the country including the capital city of
According to data available, the number of applicants for immigration into Europe has steadily increased in recent years. The
November 22, 2025
According to data available, the number of applicants for immigration into Europe has steadily increased in recent years. The
The deputy prime minister of Italy asserted on November 14 that the additional support for Ukraine would not help end the war with
November 22, 2025
The deputy prime minister of Italy asserted on November 14 that the additional support for Ukraine would not help end the war with
A performance “Our Marshal and the People of Kangwon Province” was given at the Kangwon Provincial Art Theatre on November 20
November 22, 2025
A performance “Our Marshal and the People of Kangwon Province” was given at the Kangwon Provincial Art Theatre on November 20
An event took place at the Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District of Pyongyang on November 20 to mark Child Health Day.
November 22, 2025
An event took place at the Taedongmun Kindergarten in Central District of Pyongyang on November 20 to mark Child Health Day.
Working people in the northernmost part of the country are leading a blessed life while enjoying rural civilization. New modern
November 22, 2025
Working people in the northernmost part of the country are leading a blessed life while enjoying rural civilization. New modern
Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, is wonderful in the daytime and fascinating at night thanks to illuminations. The
November 21, 2025
Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, is wonderful in the daytime and fascinating at night thanks to illuminations. The
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement on November 15 denounced the US military threat to Venezuela. The
November 21, 2025
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement on November 15 denounced the US military threat to Venezuela. The
New houses have been built at the Kochang Farm in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality this year after last year. A ceremony
November 21, 2025
New houses have been built at the Kochang Farm in Chollima District of Nampho Municipality this year after last year. A ceremony
Importance is being attached to ensuring the safety of electric power system from natural disasters. “To prevent accidents by
November 21, 2025
Importance is being attached to ensuring the safety of electric power system from natural disasters. “To prevent accidents by
True to the strategy for readjustment and reinforcement put forward by the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the
November 21, 2025
True to the strategy for readjustment and reinforcement put forward by the Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the
More Articles