URGENT-Spain's GDP to contract 9.2% in 2020 - economy minister
MADRID, May 1 (Reuters) - Spain's GDP will contract 9.2% in 2020, Economy Minister Nadia Calvino said on Friday, as the coronavirus pandemic battered the economy.
GDP is expected to grow 6.8% in 2021, she said.
The Bank of Spain expected an "asymetric V-shape recovery, with the deepest decrease in the second quarter and then a strong and gradual recovery in the second half of the year," Calvino said.
"Forecasts are prudent and consistent", she said.
On Feb. 11, prior to the imposition of a nationwide lockdown to counter the pandemic, Calvino had forecast 2020 GDP growth at 1.6%. (Reporting by Belen Carreno, Editing by Angus MacSwan and Inti Landauro)
