28 February 2008

Highlights of Economic Survey 2007- 2008

P Chidambaram Union Finance Minister tabled the economic Survey for the year 2007-08


Following are the highlights:

* Economy slows down to 8.7% in 2007-08

* Inflation projected at 4.4 per cent in 2007-08.

* Holding 9% growth a challenge, two digit growth even greater

* Inflation and infrastructure biggest growth challenges

* Skill dearth causing attrition, wage hike; pushing inflation

* Farm growth in FY'08 seen at 2.6%, against 3.8% a year ago

* Foodgrain output seen at 219.3 MT against 217.3 MT in FY'07

* Acceleration in domestic investment, savings drove growth

* Macroeconomic fundamentals continue to inspire confidence

* Investment climate full of optimism

* Industrial growth slower at 9% in first 9 months of FY'08

* Costly rupee, sluggish consumer goods and infra a concern

* Rupee rose by 8.9% against USD during current fiscal

* Average credit growth slowed to 26.8% in FY'07, down in '08

* Forex reserves up by $91.6 bn to $290.8 bn on Feb 8, 2008

* GDP projected at Rs 46,93,602 crore (mkt price) in 2007-08

* Inflation reined despite higher commodity prices & surge in capital inflows

* Growth deceleration spread across most sectors, barring power, community services and composite category of trade, hotels, transport and communications

* Cumulative increase in non-food credit by Jan 4, 2008 was 11.8% as against 17.5% a year ago

* Capital inflows rise to 7.7% of GDP in first half of FY'08 as against 5.1% in FY'07

* FDI inflows reach $11.2 bn, outward investments surge to $7.3 bn in April-September

* Exports reach $111 bn in first 9 months of FY'08; Imports grow 25.9%

* Surge in capital inflows, including FDI, to continue in medium term

* Complete the process of selling 5-10% equity in previously identified profit making non-navratna PSUs

* Phase out control on sugar, fertiliser, drugs

* Sell old oil fields to private sector

* Allow a share for foreign equity in all retail trade

* Raise foreign equity in insurance to 49 per cent

* Allow 100 per cent FDI in greenfield private agri banks

* State Electricity Regulatory Commissions should notify rational, credible, cross subsidy to make open-access viable

* Increase work week to 60 hours from 48 hours and daily limit to 12 hours.
rediff.com

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