U.S. Secretary of the Treasury John Snow said on Saturday the U.S. economy is predicted to continue its solid growth this year and into next.

The U.S. economy posted 3.6 percent growth over the last four quarters, with continued solid growth forecast through this year and into next, Snow said after meeting finance ministers of the Group of Eight (G8) major economic powers here.

"The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.6 percent -- lower than the averages of the decades from the 1960s through the 1990s. Inflation remains contained despite continued pressure from high energy prices," he said in a statement.

Finance chiefs of the world's wealthiest countries gathered in the northern Russian city to debate global growth, energy security and other issues as part of the preparations in the run-up to the G8 summit that President Vladimir Putin will host next month.

The ministers were optimistic about global economic growth but warned high energy prices and global imbalances could pose risks.

"Global growth remains strong and is gradually becoming more broadly based. However, downside risks from high and volatile energy prices and widening global imbalances remain," they said in a statement after the meeting.

Source: Xinhua