Projecting a nine to 10 percent growth rate, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said efforts should be made to remove "deficiencies" to enhance productivity across all sectors of the economy.

He said the country's economic performance in the last few years has been "impressive" and is poised to move to a trajectory of sustained high economic growth which is essential for fighting persistent poverty, hunger and disease that still afflicts millions of people.

"Our aim is a growth rate of nine to 10 percent in the medium term. But this will not happen automatically. There are deficiencies we will have to remove and strengths that we will have to acquire," he said presenting the Prime Minister's Shram Awards for 2005, 2006 and 2007.

To achieve this ambition, Singh said efforts should be made to enhance productivity across all sectors of the economy.

Noting that the resources are limited and need to be utilised optimally, he asked the people to pay greater attention to "cutting costs and boosting the quality of the products and services".