Namibian economy down 0.1 pct in 2018, following 2017's 0.9 pct fall

WINDHOEK, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian economy recorded a negative growth of 0.1 percent in 2018, Statistician-General Alex Shimuafeni told reporters on Thursday.

This is a second year in a row that the country has recorded a negative growth; the economy contracted 0.9 percent in 2017.

According to Shimuafeni, the main industries driving this weak performance were the secondary and tertiary industries.

Sectors such as hotels and restaurants, wholesale and retail trade as well as transport and communication all fell.

Namibia's economy is expected to expand by 1 percent this year, officials said.