Despite the global economic slowdown, Gujarat achieved a high growth rate of 12.79 in 2008-09, state Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala said here Today.

Announcing the annual state budget for 2009-10, Vala told the state assembly: “The five-year plan outlay for Gujarat was Rs.23,275 crore and despite implementing the sixth pay commission recommendations coupled with the slowdown woes, Gujarat achieved a growth rate of 12.79 percent.”

The 2009-10 budget has a surplus of Rs.47.75 crore.