New Delhi: Finance Minister Jaswant Singh said today (Feb 06, 2004) the economy's attaining over eight per cent growth looks "imminent" with continuity and stability of economic policies.

"It is our economic destiny to grow over eight per cent. I see its imminence. We need continuity and stability in leadership and policies," Singh said at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) post-Budget meeting.

The economy recorded 8.4 per cent growth in the second quarter of the fiscal and 7.1 per cent during April-September, which prompted the Finance Ministry to scale up GDP growth rate to 7.5-8.0 per cent.

Referring to NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government's six-year rule, Singh said the country witnessed economic sanctions, two border stand-offs, uncertainties after Gulf war, oil price volatility, three cyclones and a devastating earthquake and yet recorded impressive growth.

"We have not only survived but conquered the challenges. We will not only maintain but better the situation," he said.