SHANGHAI plans to grow its economy by 6.5 percent this year with priorities that include further development of the free trade zone and building a technology innovation center, Mayor Yang Xiong told members of the Shanghai People’s Congress yesterday in his annual work report.

Overall research and development expenditure is to be kept at above 3.8 percent as Shanghai steps up building technological strength, he said.

The government also aims to lift residents’ disposable incomes on a par with economic growth, and keep consumer inflation in line with the national level.