The minister also forecast what he described as a "moderate" economic expansion in March, and then 4% growth in April. The Andean nation's central bank estimated earlier on Friday
lower economic growth this year due to the impact of months-long social unrest and torrential rains earlier this month.
On Thursday, officials announced that the government will spend
more than $1 billion
on climate and weather measures, in a bid to contain
adverse impacts from climate change and El Niño-related weather
events.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Valentine Hilaire;
Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Marguerita Choy)