JAKARTA (AFP) - The Indonesian economy grew 4.40 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, the Central Statistics Agency said Friday.

Southeast Asia's biggest economy expanded 1.6 percent over the last quarter of 2008, it said.

Indonesia is expected to avoid recession amid the global economic crisis thanks to robust domestic demand.

Domestic consumption increased by 5.8 percent in first quarter compared to the same period last year.

Indonesia's economy is forecast to post about 4.0 percent growth this year compared to 6.1 percent last year.