(ANSA) - BRUSSELS, MAY 8 - The growth in tourism, manufacturing industry, and construction are driving the growth of Montenegro's economy, which will increase by 2.9% in 2019, according to the EU Commission. The EC issued its spring forecasts for all the countries that are on their way to join the Union. The expansion of the secondary and tertiary industries ''will favorably influence domestic demand and exports'', the EU Commission reported.

The completion of the first highway in the country in 2020 will have a positive impact on national public accounts, leading to ''a budget surplus'', with the reduction of the high public debt, now at 70.8% and expected at 64.5% in 2020. Among the risks to growth foreseen by the EC are ''pressures on public spending that could threaten fiscal consolidation ahead of parliamentary elections to be held in 2020''. (ANSA).