Washington, D.C. ? Finance officials from the world’s wealthiest countries expressed confidence Friday that the global economy will experience strong growth despite risks.

“Although risks remain, the global economy is having its strongest sustained expansion in more than 30 years and is becoming more balanced,” the finance ministers and central bank presidents said in a joint statement.

The officials from the world’s seven leading industrial countries – the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Canada – projected confidence that various troubles such as soaring trade deficits, jittery financial markets and a slumping housing market in the United States will not be enough to derail growth.

The discussions took place in advance of weekend meetings of the 185-nation International Monetary Fund and World Bank.