18/04/2017 (Agence Europe) – At the end of last week, the radical left-wing socialist government of Portugal revised the forecasted creation of wealth in the country for 2017 upwards, from 1.5% to 1.8% of national GDP. Having been increased from -4.4% of GDP in 2015 to -2.0% in 2016, the nominal government deficit may stand at just 1.5% this year, according to the stability programme to be submitted to the European Commission by the Portuguese authorities. This economic improvement is driven in particular by exports and the tourism sector. On a less positive note, Portuguese government debt remains above 130% of GDP, a level exceeded only by Greece and Italy within the Eurozone. (MB)