Overview

A decade of economic liberalisation and reform in India has resulted in
an improvement in the growth of income per capita, and critically, further
advances in poverty reduction. Certain 'new' services sectors,
like information technology, banking and finance, and telecommunications,
have benefited most from the liberalisation, and have driven the improvement
in growth performance. The southern and western states where these
industries are concentrated have, as a result, also performed much more
strongly since the reforms commenced. However, the economy remains
constrained by budget deficits and high real interest rates, poor
infrastructure, red tape, corruption, and restrictive labour and bankruptcy
laws. These problems continue to hold back large parts of the 'old'
goods-producing sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture, which
employ the bulk of India's labour force.

This in-depth study is intended to identify the opportunities in the
Indian market for Australian businesses interested in expanding their trade
and investment horizons. It analyses recent Indian economic
performance, the political and business environment, developments in India's
most dynamic states, reform achievements over the last decade and the
unfinished reform agenda. The report also analyses major trade and
investment opportunities in sectors like information technology,
infrastructure, agriculture, minerals and energy, and other industries like
health, tourism and education. The report is due for release in late
November, early December 2001

Other Details

The report is expected to be released in late November/early December of
2001. Australian organisations interested in being corporate sponsors
of the report should contact the officer below.

Officer contact details:

Mr Michael Growder

Deputy Director

Economic Analytical Unit


michael.growder@dfat.gov.au


Phone: +61 2 6261
1101

Fax: +61 2 6261 3493