We expect the economy to maintain the robust, growth experienced last year though the impact of the drought would be felt in a few sub-sectors.

I expect the high inflation environment to persist in the coming months due to effects of drought. In broad terms, Kenyans should expect to dig deeper into their pockets.

Holy Katrina! The economy weathered two major hurricanes and in spite of that showed accelerated growth. I think what this shows is that fundamentally the economy was and is in really good shape.

The interesting thing is we've just had negative growth, the economy shrank in the fourth quarter of last year and it doesn't look like it's going to grow much in the first quarter of this year.

China's economy is expected to continue its extended cycle of strong growth, thanks to the pivotal role it plays in the global supply chain. China's solid manufacturing base is essential to neighboring Asian economies, which export key electronic components. Its emerging middle class and growing consumerism will continue to attract capital goods and luxury items from the rest of the world.

It should be an engine of job growth and an improved economy in the Hispanic north.