The Romanian government's 2009 priorities are creating new jobs, improving the environment for business and absorption of EU fund, said Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc on Thursday.

He made the pledge after meeting with Mugur Isarescu, head of the central bank.

A massive public investment in infrastructure would also be a priority, as it would contribute to job creation and social stability, said the prime minister.

"We must not sacrifice vulnerable social groups," he explained.

The central bank chief said his institution will support the government's budget projects.

"We are in a year when the adjustment of the current account is inevitable, and we do not want this adjustment to affect too much the economic growth and worsen the inflation," he said.

He also hoped that the adjustment would not affect the living standard of the people.

The country's 2009 budget is to be revised in keeping with the new macroeconomic development, and the budget deficit is expected to account for 1.7 percent to 2 percent of the GDP.

The budget will be based on a projected economic growth of 3.5 percent, a big drop from last year's 8 percent to 9 percent, and an average inflation of 5.3 percent for 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2009)