GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -
Congo's growth rate will rise to 6.8 percent from an expected 5.4 percent this year, according to forecasts released by the office of the prime minister on Tuesday.
Annualised inflation is also expected to fall to 9.9 percent by the end of 2011, a drop on 2010's end-of-year target of 15 percent, the statement said.
The 2011 budget is estimated at $6.7 billion, of which $3 billion will come from outside sources. Prime minister Adolphe Muzito submitted his 2011 budget to the National Assembly on Tuesday morning, said the statement.
However Congo's currency is expected to depreciate from an average 950.6 Congolese francs to the dollar in 2010 to 961.6 Congolese francs for 2011.
Congo is in the middle of a three-year programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in which macroeconomic stability is a key part of securing its $550 million loan.
The country won $8.3 billion in debt relief this year, easing pressure on its annual debt service repayments, worth more than $500 million in 2011.
Muzito also reassured reporters of the Government's efforts to increase incoming revenue over time, the statement said.