Qatari emir sees economic growth at 9 pct in 2009/10

DUBAI Nov 3 (Reuters) - Qatar's economy should expand by 9 percent in the fiscal year of 2009/2010 and by 16 percent in the following year, the Gulf country's emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

"Despite forecasts of global financial institutions (that) the growth rates in most developed and developing countries will decline, the growth rate of Qatar's economy in the current fiscal year will reach about 9 percent and a forecast for the coming fiscal year is 16 percent," Thani said in a speech according to Qatari state agency QNA.

The Qatari fiscal year starts in April.

(Reporting by Rania Oteify; Editing by Martin Dokoupil)