Saudi c.bank governor says economy can grow 1.9 pct this year

Saudi Arabia's economy can achieve an International Monetary Fund forecast for 1.9 percent gross domestic product growth this year if all indicators remain unchanged, central bank governor Ahmed al-Kholifey told a news conference on Sunday.

After annual consultations with the Saudi government last month, the IMF predicted Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product would grow 1.9 percent in 2018 partly because of higher oil output, after shrinking 0.9 percent last year.