25/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 25 February in Brussels, the CESifo economic research centre based in Munich presented the report by its group of experts on the European economy for 2009. Forecasts from these eight economists correspond with those made by the European Commission and predict a 1.8% fall in GDP in 2009 and a return to growth in 2010 for the EU of 0.3%. They also forecast a fall of 2% in GDP this year and a 0.2% recovery the following year. As well as providing macro-economic prospects, the report looks at the reasons for the financial crisis and examines the role of private equity funds, institutions which it believes play a role that is positive overall. It is available at: (http://www.cesifo-group.de/portal/page/portal/ifoHome/B-politik/70eeagreport ). (A.B./transl.rh)