World Bank optimistic about India; projects 8 per cent growth next fiscal

By Newsgram Staff Writer

The World Bank has forecast India's growth accelerating to 8 per cent for the next fiscal year.

The World Banks's projections came soon after the rating reports by Moody's and Fitch changed India's outlook from 'stable' to 'positive'.

According to the World Bank, India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to accelerate to 7.5 percent in fiscal 2015-16.

Riding on a significant acceleration of 12 per cent investment growth, India could reach 8 per cent in the fiscal year 2017-18, as cited by the economic focus report.

The report also pointed out that India is attempting to shift from a consumption-led to an investment-led growth, at a time when China is undergoing the opposite transition.

The think-tank of the rich nations, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), also endorsed India's economic expansion projections.

Chief economist at World Bank South Asia Martin Rama also added that cheap oil gives India the opportunity to rationalize energy prices, helping it in reducing the fiscal burden from subsidies.

However, World Bank's bi-annual South Asia Economic Focus report hints at the exports sector in the region remains a cause for worry