India on The Move Case Analysis

I. Background

A country with a 3.3 million square Kilometers area and by 2002 India reached 1.1 billion people with a growing
rate of 1.5%, diversity in languages, multi party democracy system, different religious groups, India is facing
rapidly growth economy but significant reforms need to be passed still.

The financial situation in India by 1992 wasnt the most attractive but had been growing 6% annually by 2002,
turning India into one of the principal growing economies in the world. By adopting the Washington
Consensus, India had remove almost all import and exports restrictions, and so the financial controls made by
the International Monetary Fund. As a consequence of a slow progress for privatization and all restrictions
made for foreign ownership, FDI became slow to enter in India.

The biggest obstacle in India to face the reality of growth remains in economics and social performances.

II. Analysis (Case Overview)

Although GDP growth rate per year was low, information technologies and back office operations were well
known and represent 2% of the Indians GDP, the expectations aim that it would be continually growing and
contributing with the gross domestic product and a desirable 8% growth rate per year and so did exports since
the collapse of the Soviet Union. IT led many Indians entrepreneurs develop in the field decreasing
unemployment rates. Fiscal deficit turned into the sought of the right taxation policy. Moreover, conflicts with
Pakistan, bureaucracy, privatization policy and corruption in the political environment contribute on having India
one step back. Finally, education and infrastructure were to be improved.

All of the above led the 10th five year plan seek up for fiscal stability, political and religious as well.

III. Questions

Why did India experience relatively slow economic growth from independence until 1991?

Huge population, 1 billion by 2002 with a growing rate of 1.5%, more than the country could support at the time,
domestic issues with a fragmented society and religious problems. The political issue with Pakistan represents
more expenditure contributing with the deficit. The implementation of Soviet Union model as a developing
strategy based on regulations in the private and public sector, including price controls high tariff, huge
bureaucracy which made a unattractive economy for foreign investment in relation to other economies. In order
to move forward with the economy growth, India had chosen to perform a market competition economy
removing almost all its restrictions lowering tariff.

Why did Rao adopt the post-crisis, Washington Consensus strategy? How is it working?

A combination of the Soviet Union collapse and high oil prices and some other situations such as the crisis in
the balance of payments, Prime Minister Rao turned back to the International Monetary Fund for assistance. The
IMF would grant loans as long as India uses Washington Consensus policies into its economy. This policies
need to be used to minimize the impact of the government decisions; otherwise the economy would completely
collapse.

These market reforms helped India on reducing its fiscal deficit and having a higher GDP estimated in 2002-
2003 5.9% and in 2003-2004 to 5.6%.

How big deal are Hindu-Muslim frictions? Demographic fragmentation? Deficits?

Religious and political tensions in the regions have a very bad impact in foreign investors decision-making
because they perceive this as a threat to their investment. Some of the cases are: the quasi war erupted between
India and Pakistan in 1999 over the disputed state of Kashmir. Religious tension
between Hindu and Muslims in 1992 on Ayodhya temple dispute cost an estimated of 2000 people lives. In 2002,
riots made the Supreme Court banned all religious activities on the site.

Is India an attractive site for foreign direct investment?

On this days India has become a more stable economy and is growing rapidly representing a good country for
foreign investors trust, having a strong support from Government policies, growth of information technologies
and back office operations, English speaking people, a steady GDP growth.

On the other hand, some of the issues still remain in the country hopefully with a very willing government to
solve social and politics conflicts, corruption and fiscal deficit.

IV. Number Interpretation

India stays Medium in Human Development Ranking, having the 124th place out of 173 countries. There are
many differences across states among literacy, sex ratio and population growth. Productivity in the public sector
remains low in comparison with private sector. India has an annual growth rate 6%. In 2004 elections the country
still is politically fragmented. Large size of deficit outstands.
V. Conclusion

India is becoming a potential economy in the world, since the 10th plan many indicators have improve and
changed in order to be a more attractive market for foreign direct investment and for a growing GDP.
Nevertheless, many obstacles should be overcome to get India in the top of mind for investors all over the world,
the first thing to bear in mind must be corruption which has been there since the very first days and so it is the
political and religious conflicts in the region.

All in all, if India is able to work on these issues primarily, the growth economy would come along with time
and the country is going to play a big part of the international business game.

References
Astrella, K. (Feb. 24, 2012). India on the Move [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from
http://es.scribd.com/doc/81228847/India-on-the-Move-Final
Kumbhar, R. (Mar 24, 2012). India on the Move [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from
http://es.scribd.com/doc/86583756/India-on-the-Move