SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korean electronics manufacturer LG Electronics announced Thursday that this year's global sales goal has been set at 59 trillion won (52 billion U.S. dollars), local media reported.

    This year's projection is nearly 10 percent up from last year's output, sustaining the company's goal of keeping a 10 percent annual growth rate, Yonhap News Agency said.

    All figures were consolidated, which means it also includes overseas affiliates, and the estimates were based on a currency rate of 1,150 won per U.S. dollar, it added.

    The company will also invest 2.1 trillion won in research and development (R&D) and 1.5 trillion won in infrastructure improvements, as both areas will see heavier investments from the previous year, according to media reports.

    "Despite the uncertainties surrounding this year's economy, we will bolster investment in R&D, designing, and infrastructure with goals of becoming a top three electronics brand in the world," Nam Yong, its chief executive officer, was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

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