Pranab Mukherjee hopeful of 7% growth in FY-10

Finance minister said on Monday he expects the economy to grow around 7% in the fiscal year ending March 2010.

"I am quite hopeful that if this trend continues, we will have higher GDP growth than anticipated. I hope it will be around 7%," Pranab Mukherjee told reporters.                                           

Government data showed on Monday the economy grew by 7.9% in the quarter through September from a year earlier, shattering market forecasts as stimulus measures boosted demand and manufacturing activity surged.