Prague - The Czech economy slowed to 4.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2008 on the back of a firming koruna, skyrocketing consumer prices and a slump in Western Europe, according to revised government data released Wednesday.

Foreign trade, up by 13.5 per cent, fed growth in the second quarter, while consumption at home was down due to rising prices, the Czech Statistical Office said.

Although lower than the 6 per cent increases recorded in recent years, the Czech economy is still growing faster than elsewhere in Europe.

According to Eurostat data released on September 3, the economies in the 15-nation eurozone grew only 1.4 per cent in the second quarter. (dpa)