IMF says growth potential won't return to pre-crisis-update

(ANSA) - Rome, April 7 - The global financial crisis has so damaged potential economic growth that it won't likely return to pre-crisis levels - at least, not in the medium term, the IMF said Tuesday. Boosting growth "must be a priority" for countries, it added in its World Economic Outlook which came as Italy discussed its budget plans and outlook for 0.7% GDP growth this year. Meanwhile, the IMF said that in advanced economies, the growth potential has fallen from slightly less than 2% in the 2006-2007 era to about 1.5% in 2013-2014.