Senior Economist for Eastern Europe and Caucasus at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Alexander Pivovarsky has said he believes that the government's forecast for GDP growth in Ukraine at 6.5% in 2012 is rather ambitious.

"I think that the GDP growth forecast is rather ambitious. However, this can happen in reality, and everything depends on the policy that will ensure this growth," the expert said.

Pivovarsky noted that the bank's forecast for Ukraine in 2012 was more moderate - 4.5% growth. "We have a more restrained view of the speed of structural reforms in Ukraine and growth in other countries, including the euro area and Russia," he said.

At the same time, according to the expert, in the long run, Ukraine has a high potential for growth, because the country still has very low productivity and production in agriculture can be doubled.

"Obviously, if there are structural changes, growth will be rapid," Pivovarsky said.

UKRINFORM