Current statistics and economic indicators of India's economy

India is amongst the most populated nations in the world and is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The economy of India has been an important in the study of world economies for many years. The purpose of this discussion is to provide a detailed view of India's economy. We will focus on Current Statistics such as; exchange rates, inflation, interest rates, Gross National Product, and Gross Domestic Product. The discussion will also discuss the currency that the country currently utilizes. In addition, we will examine current trading partners and policies. We will also discuss trade agreements and dominant industries and companies. Finally, our discussion will focus on the black market transactions that take place in the country.

Current Statistics

According to the world fact book India's economy consist of agriculture, participation in a large range of industries, village farming, and handicrafts. (India) The factbook explains that India's large population has crippled the economy of the country. (India) Other threats to India's economy include conflict between religious and political groups throughout the country. (India)

Exchange Rates, Inflation and Interest rates

According to the Universal currency converter at the current exchange rate 1.00 USD is equivalent to 44.6884 INR. Like wise 1.00 Euro is equivalent to 54.1701 INR. (Universal Currency Converter) Inflation was at 5.91% for the week ending February 7, 2004. Current interest rates for FNCR deposits in India are between 1.19 and 1.35 for 1-2-year loans. (Banknet India) The rates are 1.00 to 2.14 for 2-3-year loans and they are at 1.40 to 2.76 for 3 yr loans. (Banknet India) Interest rates for other instruments are displayed in the graph below, which was taken from India Profile: Monetary system, currency and exchange rates.

Interest Rate

30-Mar-01

11-Jan-02

29-Mar-02

10-Jan-03

Bank Rate

IDBI1

PLR2

Deposit Rate3 (>one year)

Call Money (Borrowings)

(low/high) 4

CDs

CPs

91-day T-Bills

364 days T-Bills

Relates to January 15, 2003

Relates to December 27, 2002

** Relates to January 15, 2002

Notes:

1. Minimum Term Lending Rate (MTLR).

2. Prime Lending Rate relates to five major banks.

3. Deposit rate relates to major banks for term deposits of more than one year maturity.

4. Data cover 90-95 per cent of total transactions reported by participants.

This table can be found at http://www.saarcnet.org/newsaarcnet/countryprofile/India/india3.htm

Gross Domestic Product and Gross national Product

Gross Domestic Product in 2003 was 4.0%. (Economy Probe) According to India's Economy Probe, published in January of 2004,

The Central Government expects GDP to grow by 8.1% in the current fiscal year, on the back of the best monsoon in a decade. In FY04, the agriculture sector is estimated to grow by 9.1% compared with a decline of 5.2% last fiscal year. On the back of a booming economy and rising consumer demand, the manufacturing sector is expected to register a growth of 7.1% as against 6.2% in the year-ago period. The services sector, which contributes over 50% to the GDP, is likely to grow by 8.4% in FY04 as against 7.1% in the previous fiscal year."(Economy Probe)

The report asserts that the continued growth of the agricultural sector will continue to enhance the nation's Gross Domestic Product. For instance, foodgrains production is expected to increase by 14.2% and the non-foodgrain production will increase by 13.1%. (Economy Probe) In India the Gross National Product per Capita income for the fiscal year 2001-2002 was 20813.5. (India Info)

Currency

Indian Rupees are the currency that is currently being used in the country. The article India Profile: Monetary system, currency and exchange rates, explains that the monetary policy in India has been transformed from a system that was heavily dependent on direct instruments to one that depends more on indirect instruments. (India Profile: Monetary system, currency and exchange rates) The article also asserts,

The stance of monetary and credit policy for 2002-03 remained more or less the same as in 2001-02. The stance, as articulated by the RBI in its Annual Policy Statement (April 29, 2002), is to provide adequate liquidity to meet credit growth and support investment demand in the economy, while continuing a vigil on movements in price level. In line with the above, the Annual Policy Statement indicated that the present stance on soft interest rates and emphasis on imparting greater flexibility to the interest rates structure would continue." (India Profile: Monetary system, currency and exchange rates)

Trade agreements and dominant industries, companies and the black market

Many of India's trade agreements are with the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Iran. India signed an agreement with China to setup another point of border trade in Changgu of Sikkim on the India side and Renqinggang of the Tibet Autonomous Region on the Chinese side. (Memorandum between the Government of the Republic of India...)This agreement ensured that these areas would contain a venue for a border trade market. This agreement was made in an effort to promote friendly relations between the two nations.(Memorandum between the Government of the Republic of India...) These agreements allow India to pursue economic growth in a range of different sectors.

Another trade agreement between India and Iran was made official in January of 2003. This agreement, called the New Delhi Declaration called upon the business communities of the two countries to harness each other's strength for mutual benefit and promote bilateral trade and investment. Energy sector has been identified as a strategic area of their future relationship in which the interests of India and Iran complement each other. The areas of cooperation include upstream and downstream activities in hydrocarbon sector and working upon secure modes of transport of energy." (Documents signed Between Islamic Republic Of Iran And India)

The major industries in India include; chemicals, textiles, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software and steel, transportation equipment, and food processing. (India) There are also major corporations that have offices and manufacturing plants in India. Many major companies in the computer industry outsource jobs to India. In doing this they are able to greatly reduce costs and provide jobs to millions of people.

As far as the black market is concerned the major fear is that terrorist groups will sell and trade deadly weapons. In country that is heavily populated this is a legitimate fear. The black market in India also consists of electronic and technological products that are available on the black market throughout the world.