DUBAI- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Saudi Arabia, the biggest Arab economy, to post 2.8% economic growth this year, it said on Tuesday.

In July it had forecast 2.4% gross domestic product growth for 2021. 

Saudi growth for next year is seen at 4.8%, the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook, keeping unchanged its previous forecast.

Saudi Arabia's economy contracted by 4.8% last year amid the twin shocks of the coronavirus pandemic and lower oil prices.

The Saudi ministry of finance said last month it expected 2.6% growth this year followed by a 7.5% expansion in 2022. 

(Reporting by Davide Barbuscia; Editing by Alex Richardson) ((Davide.Barbuscia@thomsonreuters.com; +971522604297; Reuters Messaging: davide.barbuscia.reuters.com@reuters.net))