The document provides an overview of the key economic developments and performance indicators in Sri Lanka's economy in recent months. It notes that GDP grew 8.0% in the third quarter of 2010, driven by growth in agriculture, industry and services. Inflation decreased slightly to 6.9% in December 2010. Exports grew 27.6% in October 2010 while imports grew 8.4%, leading to an improvement in the trade deficit. Around 75 new firms are expected to be listed on the Colombo stock exchange in 2011, helping to increase the market capitalization by 45%. Tourism arrivals were up 63.1% in November 2010.
The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley, with the muted expectation, it was a good budget considering the local and global financial constraints. The budget stuck to the path of fiscal consolidation. The Government targets to narrow the central fiscal deficit to 3.5% in 2016-17, after having comfortably met its 3.9% target for 2015-16.
The Indian economy was facing Agrarian distress for the past 3 years. This was primarily because the Minimum Support Prices were raised by less than 5% every year in the backdrop of MSP increases between 12% -16% between 2005 and 2013. This was the primary reason for inflation being in double digits since 2009. By keeping the MSP increases below 5% the food prices continue to be under control and the CPI has remained below the RBI’s threshold of 6%. On this backdrop, the government’s decision on focusing on social sector spending was welcome.
The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley, with the muted expectation, it was a good budget considering the local and global financial constraints. The budget stuck to the path of fiscal consolidation. The Government targets to narrow the central fiscal deficit to 3.5% in 2016-17, after having comfortably met its 3.9% target for 2015-16.
The Indian economy was facing Agrarian distress for the past 3 years. This was primarily because the Minimum Support Prices were raised by less than 5% every year in the backdrop of MSP increases between 12% -16% between 2005 and 2013. This was the primary reason for inflation being in double digits since 2009. By keeping the MSP increases below 5% the food prices continue to be under control and the CPI has remained below the RBI’s threshold of 6%. On this backdrop, the government’s decision on focusing on social sector spending was welcome.
20. The views expressed in Economic Capsule are not necessarily those of the Management of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC The information contained in this presentation has been drawn from sources that we believe to be reliable. However, while we have taken reasonable care to maintain accuracy/completeness of the information, it should be noted that Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC and/or its employees should not be held responsible, for providing the information or for losses or damages, financial or otherwise, suffered in consequence of using such information for whatever purpose. From The Research Team Vision without action is a day dream. Action without vision is a nightmare Japanese Proverb