The economies of China and India are set to grow by more than previously¹ thought in 2009, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said.

亚洲发展银行估测，2009年中国和印度经济发展将比预计要好。

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Government stimulus packages have helped to boost domestic demand

Government spending in developing Asian economies had enhanced the region's growth prospects³, it said.

It now expects China to grow by 8.2% in 2009, up from an earlier forecast of 7%. India's forecast has been raised to 6% from 5%.

But it also warned governments not to withdraw stimulus policies too soon.

"Expansionary（扩张性的） fiscal⁴ and monetary⁵ policies（财政金融政策） have softened⁶ the blow of the global slump⁷ on the economy," the ADB said in its updated annual outlook.

"A surge in bank lending and vigorous fixed-asset investment has maintained growth at a higher pace than was expected in March."

But it added: "This is not the time for an exit from expansionary policies - the recovery remains⁸ fragile and subject to serious downside risks."

The ADB raised its growth forecasts for the region to 3.9% in 2009, from its previous forecast of 3.4%. It also raised its 2010 forecasts to 6.4% from its previous estimate of 6%.