Sudan’s economy to grow by 9 percent in 2006

Oct 2, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese government budget for 2006 will target GDP growth rate of 9 percent compared with 8 percent this year, Minister of Finance and National Economy Al-Zubair Ahmed al-Hassan said Sunday.

Al-Hassan told a press conference that the exchange rate will reach 230 dinars for 1 U.S dollar from 239 dinars now.

The minister said that Sudanese petroleum export is expected to earn 781 million US dollars next year in comparison with 370 million US dollars this year.

He added that the national budget is based on the oil price of 40-45 dollars a barrel and the output of 500,000 barrels a day next year.

(Xinhua/ST)