Sudan says economy to grow 4-6 percent in 2009

* Sudanese economy to grow 4-6 percent in 2009

* Animal resources exports to contribute to growth

* Inflation to fall to 8-9 percent in 2009

* U.S. sanctions shielded Sudan from global crisis

By Yara Bayoumy

KHARTOUM, May 11 (Reuters) - Sudan expects its economy to grow by up to 6 percent this year, helped by increasing revenues from the export of livestock and related products, the country's finance minister said.

Sudan, a modest oil producer, had recorded GDP growth of 8-9 percent last year, Finance and National Economy Minister Awad Ahmed al-Jaz told Reuters in an interview on Sunday.

The central bank recently revised down its growth forecast to 5 percent because of the global financial crisis and falling oil prices.

"We are estimating that we will achieve 6 percent growth, even though others are reporting negative and zero growth, we are comfortable with 4-6 percent growth and that is versus 8-9 percent in 2008," Jaz said in his office in Khartoum.

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