Page 10 - India Economy

Real GDP growth likely expanded by 7% in December quarter: Report

The country's real GDP growth for the December quarter is all set to come at a higher-than-anticipated 7 per cent, a German brokerage said on Monday. "We are forecasting October-December 2023 real GDP to have grown 7.0 per cent year-on-year during the quarter, which is higher than what we had previously anticipated," analysts at Deutsche Bank said in a note. The official data on quarterly growth will be released on February 29. In the three months ended September 2023, the economy had clocked a 7.6 per cent growth. The German brokerage said its estimate is based on a proprietary index of five high-frequency indicators, including industrial production, exports, non-oil-non-gold imports, bank credit and consumer goods. It said that another indicator comprising nearly 65 high-frequency indicators is also pointing towards 7 per cent growth for the December quarter. "The Indian economy has exhibited remarkable resilience despite the Russia-Ukraine war of last year and Covid prior to th

Best of BS Opinion: The Nato conundrum, recalibrating spend, and more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

German economy in 'troubled waters', govt cuts its growth forecast

The German government said Europe's largest economy was in troubled waters and slashed its growth forecast for this year as it struggles with a lack of skilled labour, excessive bureaucracy, high interest rates and lagging investment in new projects while a relatively modest set of tax breaks for business remains blocked in the legislature. The growth forecast was lowered to 0.2% from the previous forecast from last fall of 1.3%. That would follow a shrinking of the economy by 0.3% for all of last year. Germany is recovering more slowly than we hoped from the shock of Russia cutting off most supplies of natural gas after its invasion of Ukraine, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said as he presented the government's annual economic report. The economy is in troubled waters. The loss of Russian gas in Germany led to a spike in energy costs that hammered energy intensive industries and contributed to high consumer inflation that eroded purchasing power and made consumers more reluctant t

GDP growth to moderate sequentially to 6% in Q3 FY2024, projects ICRA

Rating agency ICRA on Wednesday projected GDP growth to moderate sequentially to 6 per cent in the third quarter of FY24 from 7.6 per cent in the preceding three months mainly due to subdued performance of agriculture and industrial sectors. Further, it said the GVA (Gross Value Added) growth is estimated to ease to 6 per cent in the October-December quarter FY24 from 7.4 per cent in the second quarter of the last fiscal. The anticipated deterioration in the industrial sector growth in the third quarter is partly attributable to an adverse base effect and a deceleration in volume expansion, even as the continued deflation in commodity prices kept the profitability of some sectors favourable. Additionally, a mild 0.2 per cent contraction in the total spending of the government of India and the 25 state governments (all states except Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Manipur) in the October-December period is expected to have dulled the GVA growth in the quarter. "Lower volume growth for t

Govt must focus on exports to reach 10% economic growth: Finance Commission

India must focus on exports to achieve 10 per cent economic growth, Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, has said. Paragariya also said that the temptation of import-substituting industrial policy is not unique to India. "I have looked at successful countries such as...Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, China, and India - these are the...high-growth examples. "My conclusion is very clear - countries that have been open are the ones that have grown rapidly," he said in an interaction with 'Foundation For Economic Development'. He added that the intellectual support for industrial policy and import substitution remains strong in India. Panagariya also explained how the global export market was worth USD 32 trillion in 2022, almost ten times India's GDP. He pointed out that China acquired a very large share of certain products which gave the country a huge boost. "For 3-4 decades, it grew at 10 per cent a year," the economist said.

'US-India alliance for women's economic empowerment being revitalised'

An alliance between the US and India that seeks to facilitate women's economic participation in India by catalysing commitments from private sector, civil society and government leaders in both countries is being revitalised, a senior US diplomat said on Tuesday. The US-India Alliance for Women's Economic Empowerment will work across the board to harness the resources of the private sector and NGOs to foster commitments for women's retention, and stem employment and entrepreneurship, Deputy Chief of Mission in India Patricia A Lacina said. She was delivering the keynote address at the WEConnect International Empowering Inclusion-Advancing Value Chains Summit 2024. "...we are revitalising the US-India Alliance for Women's Economic Empowerment. A public-private partnership to enhance mentorship," she said. Last year, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), the US Department of State, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the George Washington University .

Economic outlook appears bright, 7% GDP growth expected in FY25: FinMin

The outlook for the Indian economy appears 'bright' with GDP likely to clock 7 per cent growth rate next fiscal although the nation needs to keep a watch on global headwinds emanating from geopolitical tensions and volatility in international financial markets, a finance ministry report said on Tuesday. During the current financial year, the Indian economy is estimated to grow at 7.3 per cent. This would be the third year in the row when the GDP would grow in excess of 7 per cent. Driven by a better-than-expected performance in Q2 and above 7 per cent growth projection for FY24 (by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in its first advance estimates), many global agencies have revised India's growth projection in the upward direction, the Monthly Economic Review released by the finance ministry said. This reflects the resilience of the Indian economy to sustain its growth path amidst ongoing geopolitical headwinds, it said, adding, the measures announced in the Interim

Govt cuts import duty on turkeys; exempts extra long staple cotton from tax

The government has fully exempted customs duty on import of extra long staple cotton, and has cut duties on specified varieties of imported blueberries, cranberries and frozen turkeys. In a notification, the Finance Ministry has slashed import duty on certain items of blueberries and cranberries from 30 per cent to 10 per cent in some cases and 5 per cent in other cases. Similarly, import duty pertaining to meat and edible offal of turkeys, were also reduced from 30 per cent to 5 per cent effective Tuesday. According to officials, the duty rate changes on frozen turkey, specified cranberries and blueberries and their processed products is to implement the recommendation of the Department of Commerce following a mutually agreed solution between India and the US. Nangia Andersen India Associate Director- Indirect Tax, Khushbu Trivedi, said, in pursuance of the bilateral agreement that took place in the recent G20 Leaders' Summit between India and USA intended at addressing the past .

TN fiscal deficit at 3.44% in FY25, growth anticipated: State finance secy

Tamil Nadu's fiscal deficit in the Budget Estimates for 2024-25 stood at 3.44 per cent of the GSDP despite a decline in the State's Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) due to two successive natural calamities in December 2023 resulting in additional expenditure, State Principal Secretary-Finance T Udhayachandran said on Monday. The SOTR suffered a revenue loss due to cyclone Michaung and unprecedented rains in the southern districts. The state government had to spend more on flood relief, provide immediate relief measures besides initiate long-term relief measures, he said. "This budget has been prepared under this financial stress...Nevertheless, Tamil Nadu's economy is robust. We expect a 15 per cent growth in our SOTR through the Commercial Taxes Department," Udhayachandran told reporters here. The Registration department did not see the expected growth last year but next year the government hoped that it would fetch more revenue to the state, he added. Briefing the media on the Budget ...

India set to boost its economic, geopolitical role: Nobel Laureate Spence

India is poised to boost its economic and geopolitical role in the coming decades, helped by an evolving demographic dividend, rapidly expanding digital economy and GDP growth rates that top the world's major economies, Nobel Laureate Michael Spence has said. Spence further said India's leap on the technology front will be a key catalyst for the economic expansion of the nation, currently the world's fifth biggest economy and its pivotal position in international affairs. "As somebody who has spent the last 25 years thinking about growth in one form or another in virtually every corner of the world, let me just say that the major economy with the highest potential growth rate is India," he told ET NOW. The eminent economist noted that India has successfully developed, by far, the best digital economy and financial architecture in the world. "It is a transformational architecture," he said. Spence said the relatively open global economic system that has been in place for over 70 ye

India, UK trade pact talks at advance stage; we want a fair deal: Govt

The negotiations for the proposed India-UK free trade agreement are at an advanced stage, and both sides are working to iron out differences on the remaining issues, a top government official said on Thursday. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said the negotiations are taking time because "we want" to safeguard India's interest. "India should commercially gain out of it and we should also be able to safeguard the interest of our farmers, PLI (production linked incentive) scheme goods. So, we are there to see that the deal is a fair deal," he told reporters here. Additional Secretary in the Commerce Ministry L Satya Srinivas said the talks are at an advanced stage and going on at a "very" high level to iron out differences. The 14th round of talks started on January 10. The investment treaty is being negotiated as a separate agreement between India and the UK. The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23 from USD 17.5 billion in 2021-22.

Recurring food price shocks pose challenges in tackling inflation: Das

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said recurring food price shocks and renewed flash points on the geo-political front pose challenges in tackling inflation. "We remain vigilant to navigate through the last mile of disinflation as it is often the most difficult part of the journey. We firmly recognise that stable and low inflation will provide the necessary bedrock for sustainable economic growth," the governor said. Das stressed that stable and low inflation will provide the necessary bedrock for sustainable economic growth. India has successfully navigated through multiple challenges and emerged as the fastest-growing large economy, he said in his keynote address at the 59th SEACEN Governors' Conference here. "Prudent monetary and fiscal policies have paved the path for India's success in sailing through these rough waters. The Reserve Bank projects the Indian economy to grow by 7.0 per cent during 2024-25, marking the fourth successive year of growth at or above

Introspect on adapting for India's path to a developed nation: FM to SPMCIL

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday asked state-owned Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL) to find ways to transform itself at a time when its core business of printing currencies is depleting because of India's transition to a digital economy. Addressing the foundation day of SPMCIL, Sitharaman said at a time when minting coins in a digital era has become slightly jaded, the corporation has kept itself relevant by coming out with commemorative coins which can be gifted as souvenirs. The commemorative stamps and coins produced by the organisation are reflective of India's branding, cultural and environment issues, she said. SPMCIL has set the standards in gold and silver refining, and since 2022-23, SPMCIL has refined 5,300 kg of seized gold. It has paid a dividend of Rs 533.77 crore for 2022-23. The core strengths of SPMCIL include manufacture of bank notes and coins, also commemorative coins, and security products like passport and non-judicial ..

FM Sitharaman to review state of economy at FSDC meeting on February 21

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to review the state of the economy amid global challenges at a meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) on February 21. The 28th meeting of the high-level panel to be held here will be attended by all financial sector regulators, including RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, sources said. This would be the first meeting of the FSDC after the passage of the Rs 47.6 lakh crore Budget for 2024-25, focussing on capital expenditure with an outlay of Rs 11.11 lakh crore. In the meeting, the Finance Minister will review the current global and domestic economic situation and financial stability issues. Sitharaman is likely to stress key priorities highlighted in the interim Budget, the way forward for various future policies and measures that the government has proposed to take in many sectors, sources said. Besides, the council may also review the progress of measures approved earlier for further development of the finan

Rajnath, Munda, other ministers discuss farmers' issue amid protests

Senior Union ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Arjun Munda, on Wednesday held discussions on the ongoing farmers' protests and ways to address the issues, according to sources. The meeting in the national capital assumes significance against the backdrop of farmers from Punjab marching towards Delhi and Haryana Police using tear gas shells to stop them at the Shambhu border between the two states. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also a former agriculture minister, deliberated upon various farmer issues with Munda, who is currently in charge of the agriculture ministry. Munda is also one of the ministers who held discussions with farmer groups, the sources said. Details about the meeting could not be immediately ascertained. Thousands of farmers, who are seeking a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) among other demands, started their 'Delhi Chalo' march on Tuesday. Haryana Police lobbed tear gas shells at farmers from Punjab at the Shambhu border as thousands of protesters

Need to grow at 7-8% to become developed nation by 2047: Ex-RBI Guv

India needs to grow at seven to eight per cent annually in order to become a developed nation with USD 13000 per capita income by 2047, former Reserve Bank Governor C Rangarajan said on Tuesday. Asserting that innovation cannot be a single solution to reduce inequalities or poverty, the former Chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council said besides faster growth rate, the country may need social safety nets such as subsidies in kind of cash and basic income. I would say that the real growth between 7 per cent and 8 per cent will take it closer to the developed economy, because the developed economy by definition shows per capita income of USD 13,000 or more. India's per capita income is now at USD 2700. That means per capita income will have to increase by five times, he told PTI. According to him, if the exchange rate is kept at a lower level or if the prices go up then nominal income will increase, then India can become a developed nation. Therefore, I am saying t

Bihar govt tables Rs 2.79 trillion Budget in Assembly for 2024-25 fiscal

The Bihar government on Tuesday tabled a Rs 2.79 lakh crore budget in the assembly for the financial year 2024-25. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, while presenting the budget, said the current 2023-24 financial year saw 2.5 crore people rising above the poverty line in the state. The state registered a growth rate of 10.64 per cent in the current fiscal, Choudhary, who holds the finance portfolio, said.

India should be atmanirbhar in all aspects: Principal secretary to PM Modi

India should go beyond achieving the desired level of per capita income and be 'atmanirbhar' in all aspects, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra said on Saturday. Speaking at the 56th annual conference of the Odisha Economic Association at Sambalpur, he also stressed on sustainable growth while achieving high growth trajectory to become a developed nation by 2047. "High growth that is not sustainable will not be meaningful," Mishra said. "India should go beyond achieving the desired level of per capita income and be 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) in all aspects. Women will be leading India's development story, the economy will be more inclusive and innovative, and corruption, casteism and communalism will have no place in our national life," he said. Mishra said that the G20 Presidency led by India was recognised globally for its unprecedented scale and success, emphasising the adoption of new concepts for a sustainable and better future. "The concept of LiFE (Lifesty

Goa CM presents revenue surplus budget of Rs 26,765 cr for 2024-25

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday presented a Rs 26,765 crore revenue surplus budget for 2024-25 in the Assembly, with no additional taxes being imposed on the citizens of the coastal state. The revenue surplus was Rs 1,720 crore, while the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected to witness a growth of 13.87 per cent, with per capita income of Rs 7.64 lakh, he said. Sawant also announced a one-time amnesty scheme for residential houses that are being operated illegally as home stays, hotels and restaurants. Sawant, who holds the finance portfolio, said Goa received Rs 750 crore as financial assistance from the Centre for fiscal 2023-24 and this is expected to rise to Rs 1,506 crore for 2024-25. Despite financial liabilities like social welfare schemes, servicing of debt and infrastructure development, the state government in the last financial years has not imposed additional tax burden on citizens, the chief minister told the House. "We have worked out our fina

FM Sitharaman moves Finance Bill 2024 for consideration in Rajya Sabha

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday moved the Finance Bill 2024 for consideration in the Rajya Sabha. The Finance Bill 2024 will be considered for returning to the Lok Sabha which passed the bill on Wednesday. The finance minister also moved a bill related to Jammu and Kashmir budget bill and appropriation Bill authorising the government to meet expenses for four months in the next financial year. "I move that the bill to continue the existing rates of income tax for the financial year 2024-25 and to provide for certain relief to taxpayers and to make amendments in certain enactments as passed by Lok sabha be taken into consideration," Sitharaman said while introducing the Finance Bill 2024-25. The minister moved the appropriation vote on Account Bill 2024 as passed by Lok Sabha as part of the discussion on the interim budget. The Appropriation Bill 2024 , The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation 2 Bill, and the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill 2024 were also moved by t