Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Friday expressed optimism that Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would rise above seven per cent by the end of this year.

He said government had put in place effective economic measures, which had been demonstrated in the reduction in inflation and bank interest rates, "and I will therefore not be surprised if we hit 7.2 percent GDP by the end of 2010."

Vice President gave this assurance when Claude Maeten the Ambassador and Head of the European Union, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

He appealed to the EU President to impress upon his management team to consider fulfilling all their economic pledges to developing countries to embark on basic infrastructural development that would qualify them to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of their various countries.

The Vice President commended them for their support over the years even in the face of difficulties like the world economic crunch among others.

Mr Maeten gave the assurance that EU would continue to support the developing countries to come out of their economic woes adding "the government of Ghana has done well considering the short time you have come to power."

Mr Gong Jianz Hong, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, who was also at the Castle to introduce himself, promised to collaborate effectively with Ghana government to achieve the development goals of both countries.

Mr Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General, who also paid a courtesy call on the Vice President, currently the Acting President of Ghana, commended government for the development strides the country was enjoying.