US economy 'getting better'

WASHINGTON - TREASURY Secretary Tim Geithner says the economy is 'gradually getting better' and 'that's very encouraging.'

This comes after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress earlier this week that the outlook for the country is 'unusually uncertain.'

Mr Geithner says he's seeing 'private investment expand again, job growth starting to come back. And that's very encouraging.'

The Treasury secretary also said private forecasters say the economy will strengthen 'moderately' over the next 18 months.

He says the general view from businesses around the country is that they're seeing 'an economy that's gradually getting better.'

The comments came in an interview to be aired on Sunday on NBC News' 'Meet the Press'. -- AP