IMF director general Rodrigo Rato said he expects global GDP growth to reach around 5 pct in both 2006 and 2007. The world economy "will grow at a rate of 5 percent in 2006 and at a similar rate in 2007," Rato said after meeting African delegates ahead of fund's autumn meeting. In its spring World Economic Outlook published in April, the IMF forecast growth of 4.9 pct this year and 4.7 pct next.