Ukraine Crisis: MNB points to 'strong' influence of war on economic activity

"In the coming quarters, economic activity will be strongly influenced by the war, the policy of sanctions implemented and the governments' responses to this extraordinary situation," MNB said in the report.

 "The repercussions of the war have their strongest restraining effect on economic growth directly through trade channels and disruptions in international production chains. In addition, rising commodity prices and corporate costs, as well as the generally high level of uncertainty also restrain growth," the central bank added.

MNB knocked down its forecast for 2022 GDP growth to 2.5-4.5% in the fresh report from 4-5% in the previous one released in December.

Presenting the report at a press conference, MNB director András Balatoni said the macroeconomic impact of the war, as well as sanctions on Russia, would reduce Hungary's exports as trade with Russia and Ukraine falls, growth slows on external markets and supply chain interruptions weigh. Higher energy prices and inflation will increase uncertainty, resulting in a deceleration of lending and lower investments, while a slowdown in wages and transfers, adjusted for inflation, will cause lower consumption, he added.

While MNB acknowledged a "high degree of uncertainty" surrounding Hungary's short-term economic outlook, it said the country's economy "continues to have a strong ability to grow".