The Philippine economy is expected to grow by 6.1 to 7.1 percent in 2009, accelerating from 5.5 to 6.4 percent this year, as external demand recovers and with healthy consumption, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

Inflation is expected to average at 6 to 8 percent next year from 9-11 percent this year, said Myrna Asuncion, director for policy planning at the socio-economic planning agency.

The forecasts are contained in the 2009 spending plan to be submitted by the government to Congress on Wednesday.