国际英语新闻：Bernanke says U.S. economy recovering but not yet out of the woods

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. economy seems to be recovering but it is "far from being out of the woods," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday.

In prepared remarks to business people in Dallas, Bernanke said that the financial crisis, the worst one since the Great Depression of 1930s, looks to "be mostly behind us."

"The economy seems to have stabilized and is beginning to grow again," he said. "But we are far from being out of the woods."

Graphics shows developed countries economic growth may face slow recovery in the first half of this year, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicted on April 7, 2010.

Many Americans are still grappling with unemployment or foreclosure, or both and cities and states are struggling to maintain essential services, said the Fed chief.

Although much of the financial system is functioning more or less normally, bank lending remains very weak, threatening the ability of small businesses to finance expansion and new hiring, Bernanke added.

In the speech, Bernanke said some of the toughest problems are in the job market.