November 21, 2025Nov 21, 2025
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

China condemns US for selling munitions to Taiwan

China condemns US for selling munitions to Taiwan

A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the US for selling munitions to Taiwan at a press conference on

November 20, 2025

A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the US for selling munitions to Taiwan at a press conference on

National martial arts championships close

National martial arts championships close

The national martial arts championships ended on November 18. It was held at the Taekwon-Do Palace, the Taekwon-Do Holy Centre and

November 20, 2025

The national martial arts championships ended on November 18. It was held at the Taekwon-Do Palace, the Taekwon-Do Holy Centre and

State academic degrees and titles awarded to intellectuals

State academic degrees and titles awarded to intellectuals

State academic degrees and titles were awarded to the intellectuals who made positive contributions to the economic development of

November 20, 2025

State academic degrees and titles were awarded to the intellectuals who made positive contributions to the economic development of

New houses built at Sagu Farm in Chongjin

New houses built at Sagu Farm in Chongjin

Agricultural workers of the Sagu Farm in Chongam District of Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province, greeted the auspicious day of

November 20, 2025

Agricultural workers of the Sagu Farm in Chongam District of Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province, greeted the auspicious day of

Advanced science and technology and products exhibition opens

Advanced science and technology and products exhibition opens

The Advanced Science and Technology and Products Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Grand People's Study House in

November 20, 2025

The Advanced Science and Technology and Products Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Grand People's Study House in

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visits Ministry of Public Security

Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visits Ministry of Public Security

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s

November 19, 2025

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s

China denounces G7 for interference in its internal affairs

China denounces G7 for interference in its internal affairs

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry censured G7 for interfering in the internal affairs of China at a press conference on

November 19, 2025

A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry censured G7 for interfering in the internal affairs of China at a press conference on

Iranian President expresses stand to strive to overcome energy crisis

Iranian President expresses stand to strive to overcome energy crisis

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in his recent speech at the parliament expressed his stand to work hard to overcome the energy

November 19, 2025

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in his recent speech at the parliament expressed his stand to work hard to overcome the energy

Schoolchildren hold sports meeting

Schoolchildren hold sports meeting

Schoolchildren of Moranbong District in Pyongyang played sports and amusement games at Kim Il Sung Stadium on November 7. Although

November 19, 2025

Schoolchildren of Moranbong District in Pyongyang played sports and amusement games at Kim Il Sung Stadium on November 7. Although

Disabled paddler achieves his dream

Disabled paddler achieves his dream

Jon Ju Hyon is one of the disabled table tennis players. He began to play table tennis in his primary school days. According to

November 19, 2025

Jon Ju Hyon is one of the disabled table tennis players. He began to play table tennis in his primary school days. According to

Sci-tech symposium in greenhouse vegetable sector held

Sci-tech symposium in greenhouse vegetable sector held

The sci-tech symposium in greenhouse vegetable sector-2025 was held at the Kangdong Central Vegetable Research Institute of the

November 19, 2025

The sci-tech symposium in greenhouse vegetable sector-2025 was held at the Kangdong Central Vegetable Research Institute of the

DPRK women footballers back home

DPRK women footballers back home

The reliable women footballers of the DPRK won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup this year following last year, and lifted the

November 18, 2025

The reliable women footballers of the DPRK won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup this year following last year, and lifted the

More Articles