WASHINGTON, 26 April 2004 — Saudi Arabia achieved steady economic growth as a result of reforms introduced by the country in recent years, says Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf. Addressing a meeting of the International Monetary Fund here Saturday, he said the Kingdom achieved a growth rate of six percent last year with a low level of inflation and a surplus in foreign accounts and national budget. “The new rules and regulations that have been recently passed such as the capital market law, the insurance law and the corporate tax law are primarily aimed at enhancing financial markets and strengthening the role of the private sector,” he told the meeting.