India presently has more than a quarter trillion dollars of essential imports. These include crude oil, coal, edible unrefined oil, fertilizer, steel and copper. This list does not include defence or pharmaceutical intermediates, which could also be called essential. Domestic production capacity for all these is unlikely to become ‘atma nirbhar’ in the near future, even as demand will grow as India chugs at a 7% or 8% growth rate. These critical imports feed India’s energy and food needs (edible oils) as well as downstream industries such as automobiles and electronics. Imported pharmaceutical ingredients and special minerals are needed for healthcare and the renewable revolution.
To pay for all these crucial imports in dollars, we need to earn enough foreign exchange consistently for the next decade. Which are our reliable dollar earners? The two strong dependable export items that have grown steadily are inward remittances (clocking $129 billion this year, the highest in the world) and software services (exceeding $200 billion). Both can be said to be de facto exports of skilled or semi-skilled labour. This is India’s big competitive advantage.
Denne historien er fra December 24, 2024-utgaven av Mint Hyderabad.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 24, 2024-utgaven av Mint Hyderabad.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Services exports save the day for current account in Sep quarter
A rise in services exports helped narrow India's current account deficit (CAD) in the September quarter, although this marked the second consecutive quarterly deficit after hitting a surplus in the final three months of FY24.
Sebi Issues Circular on Share Transfer
The circular provides clarity on the rules surrounding ownership transfers in intermediary cos
UltraTech to Acquire Minority Stake in Star Cement
UltraTech Cement on Friday said it will acquire a minority stake of 8.69% from the promoters of Meghalaya-based Star Cement in a deal worth up to ₹851 crore.
Rupee falls to record low as dollar bids spike
The rupee fell to an all-time low on Friday, as maturing non-deliverable forwards and currency futures boosted dollar demand, while the sharp fall led to panic dollar buying by importers.
JSW Neo to acquire O2 Power; EQT and Temasek to exit
The transaction entails acquisition of O2 Power Midco Holdings and O2 Energy SG, and is subject to customary nods
Rural-urban consumption gap shrinks in 2023-24
The monthly per capita consumption expenditure rose to ₹4,122 in rural areas and ₹6,996 in urban areas
Escorts Kubota's ride is bumpy amid demand concerns
Escorts Kubota Ltd continues to grapple with the challenges of weak export volumes and subdued construction equipment demand.
India's Textile Exports a Silver Lining as Trade Deficit Widens
Experts attribute this growth to govt policies, trade deals, and adoption of new technologies
The Archetypical Insider Who Guided India Towards Its Economic Potential
During Singh's tenure at RBI, India embraced a more flexible exchange rate to promote exports
A Vision
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh's tenure (2004-2014) witnessed significant reforms that profoundly impacted India's economy, governance, and social infrastructure. His reforms focused on pressing issues such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and corruption. Mint takes a look at the key reforms that reflect Singh's enduring legacy.
