REPEAT:MNI:China Bank: Exports, Fiscal Spend To Carry 2018 GDP

Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 05:00 GMT Nov 9/00:00 EST Nov 9

--China Everbright Bank Sees 2018 GDP Expanding 6.5-6.8%

--Export, Consumption, Fiscal Spending Pick-up to Offset Cooling Property Mkt

--Sees Moderate Inflation: CPI 1.6-2.5%; PPI 1.5-3.0%

     BEIJING (MNI) - The Chinese economy could well maintain this year's

stronger-than-expected growth pace in 2018, boosted by improving demand for

exports and the government's pro-growth fiscal policies, China Everbright Bank

predicted.

     Gross domestic product will grow between 6.5% to 6.8% in 2018, the bank's

analyst Zhou Maohua said in a report dated Wednesday. Along with stable

consumption, positive factors may outweigh the drag from the cooling property

market, Zhou said. 

     In addition, the bank ruled out a scenario of plunging investment in the

property market, as the government's emphasis on boosting rental and low-income

housing will offsets slowing sales of private residential properties. 

     While the 19th Communist Party Congress emphasizing the need to improve the

quality of growth in future, a precondition is maintaining a sizable

quantitative expansion, the bank said.

     Prices of industrial commodities will be supported by external demand as

well as Chinese government measures to curb excess capacity and protect the

environment, the bank said. 

     Inflation is likely to remain moderate given regulators will keep money

supply "prudent and neutral" to curb financial speculation, the bank said. 

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

--MNI BEIJING Bureau; +1 202-371-2121; email: john.carter@mni-news.com