The 13th of any month is never an opportune date to release official data, especially given the slowing economy. However, the trade data for August was not only announced that day instead of its usual mid-month release, but even the press conference was called at 45 minutes’ notice. Asked to explain this haste, Commerce Secretary S R Rao said some “urgent meetings” were scheduled for Friday. The import of those meetings were, indeed, evident the next evening.
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