Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said the government expected strong growth in the second half of this financial year, expressing optimism that industry would continue to repeat its performance as witnessed in the second quarter (Q2).

The GDP grew at an unexpected 7.9% in Q2 (July-September), giving hopes to the government to review its earlier prediction towards posting 7% plus growth for the entire fiscal.

"The GDP number in the first half of the current year vindicates our expectations and provides ample proof of the resilience of the economy," he said while addressing an international CEO forum organised by Ficci here.

Even as he stressed that economic indicators were inclined towards robust growth, the FM said, "Our road ahead is full of challenges. The chief amongst them is to take the economy back to 9% growth path." However, our main aim will remain inclusive growth, Mukherjee added.

Mukherjee said while going on the path of high growth trajectory, the country needed trained manpower in big numbers. He said the government was organising vocational training, was charting out innovative ways to finance infrastructure projects in power and roads and encouraging participation of private sector in research and development to achieve this goal.