71.   Businessmen yesterday urged legislators to minimize spending asgovernment cut its economic growth forecast for this year due to the currency meltdown in the region.

72.   But plenty of variables remain unaccounted for, and Assistant Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz conceded that the growth forecast may be revised in the middle of the year.

73.   Despite the strong growth forecast, the BOJ said problems still lingered in the economy.

74.   Dr Mahathir was preparing the groundwork for a downward revision of the growth forecast of the economy a few days later by his deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

75.   Economic growth forecasts have it moderating somewhat, but one big concern is whether a potential U.S. slowdown could spark a recession across the Atlantic.

76.   European economists have slashed regional growth forecasts in recent weeks and say a rate cut would at least fuel hope that it too will stage a turnaround.

77.   Eurostat general director Yves Franchet also said his agency would review its growth forecasts in light of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

78.   Finance Minister Hans Eichel said Tuesday the government would review its official growth forecast in early May as part of preparations for twice-yearly tax revenue forecasts.

79.   Governments in the region have also revised downwards their growth forecasts, though not as drastically.

80.   Governments are slashing budgets and growth forecasts, companies are scrapping investment and citizens from Quito to Tehran are preparing for hard times.