The Undervalued Rupee
Businessworld|March 26, 2022
A stronger rupee would dramatically cut India’s merchandise trade deficit. Would software exports be affected? Not if they climb up the value chain. And indeed they are doing precisely that
MINHAZ MERCHANT
The Undervalued Rupee
IT’S THE PERENNIAL QUESTION: is the Indian rupee undervalued or overvalued – or indeed, is it currently at its correct value? There’s a strong lobby in India that believes in a weak rupee. Led by exporters, this lobby has over the years successfully created an ecosystem among economists, analysts and the bureaucracy which propagates the belief that a constantly depreciating rupee is good for the Indian economy. So powerful is the impact of this decades-long lobbying that it is now accepted wisdom that a weak rupee is a good rupee.

Are the votaries of a weak rupee right? The answer: no. A constantly depreciating rupee is a Sword of Damocles over the heads of importers. With crude oil prices rising to over $100 a barrel, India’s trade deficit in 2021-22 is likely to hit record highs.

Weak rupee advocates ignore several facts. First, the most successful export leviathan in history, China, with exports of over $3 trillion a year (equal to India’s entire GDP) has never suffered due to a strong yuan. The Chinese currency has been trading at a steady exchange rate of 6-8 yuan per US dollar between 2006 and 2022.

In 2006, the yuan was trading at 7.97 per dollar. In 2022, it is trading at 6.35 per dollar. Thus in 16 years, the yuan has actually strengthened by around 20 per cent against the US dollar.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 26, 2022 من Businessworld.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 26, 2022 من Businessworld.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من BUSINESSWORLD مشاهدة الكل
Gauging Trumponomics For India
BW Businessworld

Gauging Trumponomics For India

Despite some shortto mediumterm headwinds in trade and immigration, the broader Indo-US vision of counterbalancing China’s influence is expected to ensure continued cooperation under Trump 2.0

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Reflections on Consciousness and Creation
BW Businessworld

Reflections on Consciousness and Creation

Indian-American DEEPAK CHOPRA on the nature of the universe, the digital fabric of existence, and the power of a conscious mind

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
MORE TAKE TO DRIVING IN STYLE
BW Businessworld

MORE TAKE TO DRIVING IN STYLE

High-end luxury vehicles are no longer part of a niche market, but a rapidly expanding segment of automobile sales, driven by changing consumer preferences, rising disposable incomes and better infrastructure

time-read
4 mins  |
November 16, 2024
India's Growing Affinity for Swiss Watches: A Luxury on the Rise
BW Businessworld

India's Growing Affinity for Swiss Watches: A Luxury on the Rise

NDIA'S ROBUST ECONOMIC growth, projected to exceed 6 per cent in 2024 and 2025, is fostering a rising demand for aspirational products. As disposable incomes increase, particularly among the expanding middle class, luxury goods such as Swiss-made watches are gaining popularity.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
An ENRiching Outlook
BW Businessworld

An ENRiching Outlook

KPMG's latest report shows energy CEOs being optimistic about the sector's outlook. ANISH DE, Global Head, ENRC, KPMG speaks to BW Businessworld's Arjun Yadav on what's driving this confidence

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
Paving the Path to a Sustainable Future
BW Businessworld

Paving the Path to a Sustainable Future

Salesforce's ESG journey has made an impact beyond the company. SUNYA NORMAN, SVP of ESG Strategy and Engagement at Salesforce, shares more on how the tech giant integrates sustainability into its core operations, supporting global goals while empowering employees

time-read
2 mins  |
November 16, 2024
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AT XIAOMI INDIA
BW Businessworld

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AT XIAOMI INDIA

Xiaomi India is experiencing a leadership evolution, beginning with Muralikrishnan B's departure as President by the end of 2024. This change underscores Xiaomi's shift towards nurturing local talent amidst dynamic global shifts. The story tracks key transitions from Manu Kumar Jain's leadership to Muralikrishnan B's impactful tenure, along with recent strategic hires, highlighting Xiaomi's alignment towards market adaptability and consumer focus

time-read
3 mins  |
November 16, 2024
WEAVING SUSTAINABILITY
BW Businessworld

WEAVING SUSTAINABILITY

Once a modest home textile manufacturer, Jindal Worldwide has evolved into a vertically integrated textile powerhouse, spanning critical segments of the yarn and fabric value chain

time-read
1 min  |
November 16, 2024
FORCE FOR GOOD
BW Businessworld

FORCE FOR GOOD

FY24 saw capacity expansions for Century Enka in nylon and polyester segments, along with investments in modernisation, renewable energy, and safety initiatives

time-read
1 min  |
November 16, 2024
REIMAGINING TOMORROW
BW Businessworld

REIMAGINING TOMORROW

For V-Guard, tomorrow signifies progress, driven by today's actions, setting the foundation for future growth and value creation for all stakeholders

time-read
1 min  |
November 16, 2024