Wolfensohn Lauds India'S Economic Management

World Bank president James Wolfensohn complemented the BJP-led coalition on the handling of the economy so far, but declined to hazard any predictions. "India has done a good job so far in running the economy," Wolfensohn said.

He, however, said there were a lot of factors that made this performance possible. These included a fairly strong education campaign, a shift to high-tech exports, development of new industries and delegation of powers to the states, which he felt had gone very well overall.

Another factor he listed for India's good performance was the fact that it had not been overly exposed in terms of global financial flows. "It has not been a place for quick money in terms of trading. So I think you have been protected from some of the worst impacts of global flows," he remarked.

 

He pointed out, India had been able to attract "pretty good investments. So, I think, India has done a pretty good job, but I wouldn't want to give you a blanket headline on whether that is a reason for one course or another. "

About Pakistan, Wolfensohn said, "I understand the Bank is helping out particularly in relation to the Hub River project, trying to reconcile the differences between the government and the project operators."