2006 period. Sub-Saharan African economies grew 5.5 per cent last year and could even expand faster this year, the review said. But it warned population growth at 3 per cent in that region would absorb much of the positive economic impact. Annan, speaking to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, said the continuing expansion should allow poor countries to carry out economic and social programmes. He singled out sub-Saharan Africa, a region of much concern for international donors because of wars and humanitarian disasters. Economies in transitional countries in southern and eastern Europe, and former Soviet republics, are projected to grow by 6 per cent this year, down from 7.6 per cent in 2004. --More 2342 Local Time 2042 GMT
