(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
India will be the fastest growing major economy this year and
the next despite headwinds from rising inflation, widening trade
deficit and a declining rupee, a top government source said on
Thursday, Trend reports citing Business Standard .
While the widening trade deficit and depleting forex reserves
due to higher import bills had raised alarm bells for the current
account deficit (CAD), the source said the situation should
stabilise soon.
The source went on to say that the 7 per cent decline in rupee
value against the US dollar this year was not worrisome, and the
government and RBI are confident of managing the situation.
'There is no chance of India slipping into recession. We are on
steady path of growth. There is no second thought that growth will
slow down,... we will still be the fastest growing economy this
year and next year,' the source said.
While inflation continues to be above the comfort zone, the
economy has continued on its recovery path, supported by pent-up
demand for services and higher industrial output.
Major forecasters, including the RBI, have put the GDP growth
estimates for the current fiscal at over 7 per cent, higher than
the growth rate of any major economy.
'Rupee level (is) not worrisome. The government and RBI are
monitoring rupee movement continuously. There is no further measure
on cards to encourage inflow of dollars,' the source said.
Regarding concerns of a balance of payments crisis, where India
may not have enough forex to pay for imports, the source said since
prices of crude oil and electronic items have come down, CAD should
not pose a major challenge. 'It should stabilise soon.' As per
experts, CAD would balloon to 3 per cent of GDP in the current
fiscal from 1.2 per cent last year.
Prices of crude oil, the single biggest commodity that India
imports, have in recent days come down to USD 95-96 per barrel from
USD 110 last month, giving relief to importers.
Edible oil prices and other commodity rates have also declined
in recent weeks.
The government, the source said, is taking continuous steps and
engaging with the RBI to bring down inflation.
Inflation has stayed above the upper tolerance limit of 6 per
cent for six straight months.
Edible oil, crude oil and fertiliser prices have come down in
the recent past, the source said, adding a normal monsoon would
bring down prices of foodgrains and further ease inflation. 'We are
not going to relent till inflation eases to tolerant level.'
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