Global recovery weaker than expected, OECD says

VIENNA: A senior international official says the global economy is off to a weaker than expected start in the second half of the year.

Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, says a slowing in the recovery had been forecast for the third and fourth quarters and was ``on the books.'' But, he adds, ``I think it has been weaker than we thought.''

Gurria spoke to reporters Friday on the sidelines of a finance conference in Austria that has drawn policymakers, bank representatives and some government officials from Eastern Europe.