World Bank says South Asia growth to slow to 6.3% in 2026 amid Middle East conflict
NEW DELHI, April 8 (Reuters) – South Asia’s growth is expected to slow to 6.3% in 2026 from 7.0% in 2025 as the conflict in the Middle-East and disruptions in global energy markets weigh on the import-dependent region, the World Bank said on Wednesday. In its latest South Asia Economic Update, the bank said growth should recover to 6.9% in 2027, while the region would remain the fastest growing among emerging market and developing economies. The World Bank said the outlook was highly uncertain because South Asia depends heavily on imported energy and is vulnerable to spillovers from the Middle