India could hit double digit growth by the next two years (2012) of the 11th Five Year Plan if the present trend of growth continued.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee made this announcement on Saturday.

The country's economic system soared 6.7% in 2008-09 and by 7.4% during the last financial year. The latest economic survey has projected a growth rate of about 8.5%for 2010-11.

"If this trend continues, we will have double digit growth by the end of the 11th Plan, that is 2012," the minister said.

Previously, in his address after kicking off the northeast India and West Bengal banking operations of the private sector Yes Bank which added 15 branches, he stated, "My appetite for growth is infinite. I do believe India deserves higher growth because we have suffered a long spell of slow growth rate."

Saying that there has been a paradigm shift in the country's economic approach and attitude, Mukherjee said "it is in the positive direction".

He described the east and northeast as the region of the future, and said the region must come up for the government's Look East Policy to succeed.

Referring to the problems of subversive activities in the north east, the minister said once development comes, all other problems can be taken care of.

Speaking at another programme, Mukherjee said the bond market has to be improved as the country needs a high level of funding in infrastructure in the coming years. (With Inputs from Agencies)