Oman's economy grew 1%-2% in 2009: Economy minister

Oman's economy was expected to grow by a sluggish 1%-2% this year after being hit by lower oil prices in the second quarter, the country's economy minister Ahmad Mekki said in remarks published on Sunday.                                           

The global economic crisis slashed income for Gulf Arab oil producing nations, sending the region's key economies into downturn this year.                                           

Non-OPEC Oman was less affected than fellow oil exporters in the region because it did not have to join oil output cuts required by the group.                                           

It was not clear whether Mekki, speaking to al-Watan newspaper, was referring to a change in nominal or real gross domestic product.                                           

A senior ministry official said in October that the sultanate's economy will grow by 2.5% percent in 2009 in nominal terms thanks to a better performance from its non-oil sectors.                                           

Oman's real GDP was expected to grow by 3% in 2009 and 4.3% next year, a Reuters poll showed last month. The International Monetary Fund sees GDP growth of 4.1% this year, well below 7.8% in 2008.