Lesotho’s GDP growth rate has been increasing consistently from 2002 until 2009 when the impact of the economic crisis began to be felt. The growth rate picked up in 2010 but experienced a further decline in 2011 when the effects of the euro crisis hit hard on world economies. The outlook for Lesotho in 2014 and 2015 remains moderately positive with average growth of 4.4% expected; though there are risks over global demand for diamonds and the renewal of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act which runs out in 2015. The economy is estimated to have grown by 3.4% in 2013, well below the strong 6.5% recorded in 2012. Growth was supported by booming construction activities, a strong recovery by textile and clothing, transport and communications, and financial intermediation.