Buenos Aires - Argentina's economy expanded a robust 8.8% in 2011, fueled by strong growth in the auto industry, construction, services and personal spending, the government said Friday.
The reading on gross domestic product was the latest showing strong growth in the South American nation, which since a near-collapse a decade ago has been averaging nine percent growth since 2003, with the exception of a modest 0.9% expansion in 2009, amid the global financial crisis.
But 2012 may not be as rosy. The international Monetary Fund is predicting growth in Argentina will cool to 5.5% this year.
The government is predicting 5.1% growth along with inflation of 9.2%. But the IMF and others have said the price data in the country have been unreliable.