Austrian think tanks keep growth forecasts unchanged

VIENNA, March 27 (Reuters) - Austria's main economic research institutes kept their growth forecasts unchanged for this year and next as the export-dependent economy accelerates out of a weak patch.

WIFO and IHS, whose forecasts help form the basis for government economic policy, saw gross domestic product (GDP) growing 1.7 percent in 2014 as the global environment improves and domestic demand picks up.

In 2015, WIFO saw growth at 1.7 percent as investment in capital goods decelerates and private consumption stays feeble, while IHS still expected the economy to expand 2.0 percent. GDP grew just 0.4 percent in 2013.

(Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by John Stonestreet)

((Michael.Shields@thomsonreuters.com)(+43 1 531 12 258)(Reuters Messaging: michael.shields.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRIA ECONOMY/