SINGAPORE'S job growth may moderate in the second half of this year and next year, as the economy remains weak in the coming quarters after falling into a recession, according to a Bloomberg news report on Monday.

Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang said in Parliament that the unemployment rate this year will be higher than the 2.1 per cent recorded in 2007.

He also said that inflation has peaked, and the financial crisis has weakened consumer demand.

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