The Mainland economy will grow 6.6 percent in the first quarter of this year but growth will slow throughout the remainder of the year, the State Information Centre says.

Research from the Government-run research body was quoted in the Mainland media earlier this week.

In the first quarter, the centre forecasts imports will grow by 10.5 percent and exports will grow 6.5 percent.

The rate of inflation will be stable at 2 percent in the first quarter, while producer prices will increase 7.2 percent from the same time last year.

The centre recommends reforms in taxation, the financial sector and state-owned enterprises should be accelerated.

The Mainland economy grew 6.7 percent last year, the slowest rate of growth in 26 years.