Assaf, Minister of Finance, said he expects the Saudi economy to register over 4 percent growth this year compared to 3.9 percent in 2010, pointing out that during the past few years the private sector has played an important role in this growth despite the contribution of the oil sector. Answering a question by Okaz/Saudi Gazette on the Kingdom's share in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Al-Assaf said the Kingdom's share in the IMF is 3 percent and there are plans to “decrease it”. Al-Assaf said there would be a meeting with IMF officials at the end of February and it is expected that there would be a focus on some basic issues, particularly those related to continuity of growth, reform of financial systems and the role of institutions in supporting development.
