[1]Projecting a moderate increase in growth rate for India to 7 per cent in 2012-13, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said strong economic performance would depend on the country’s ability to push reforms agenda and address issues constraining investments.
"The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth should edge up to 7.0 per cent in FY2012(-13) and 7.5 per cent in FY2013(-14), after falling to 6.9 per cent in FY2011(-12) from 8.4 per cent the year before," said the ADB’s flagship annual publication Asian Development Outlook (ADO).
The government, however, has projected a growth rate of 7.6 per cent for the current fiscal and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is slated to come out with its forecast the next week.
"An expected easing in monetary policy after a long period of persistent inflation and rate hikes might help stimulate investment over the coming year, but its impact is likely to be limited until obstacles like land purchase and environmental regulations, which are currently deterring both domestic and foreign investors, are addressed," said Changyong Rhee, ADB’s chief economist.
A number of bills and measures to improve India’s investment environment have been introduced in Parliament, but they are making little progress amidst lack of sufficient consensus for immediate reforms, said ADO.
It further pointed out that the recent rise in the pace of road construction and clearances for power projects is a positive signal, but, "more is needed to substantially increase levels of investment".
As regards 2011-12, the ADO said, the slide in growth reflected falling exports, weaker consumer spending and a slump in investment. Industrial growth dropped to a decade low of 3.9 per cent, although services remained robust, contributing nearly 80 per cent of overall GDP growth for the year.
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