G20 plans major investments in countries like India

BRISBANE: The G20 has cited India among other countries for launch of major investment initiatives and for having a sustainable growth.

A Brisbane Action plan released as part of the G20 communiqué also said that the state of the global economy calls for a comprehensive and coherent policy response that restores near-term demand, removes medium-term supply constraints and builds consumer and business confidence.

“While growth in some key emerging market economies is robust and is becoming more sustainable, including in China and India, it is slowing in some other countries,” it said, adding that many low-income countries are performing well.”

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, who was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sherpa at the summit of the group of 20 industrialized and emerging market economies, told reporters that India’s expected growth is projected to be over six per cent in 2014-15.

India’s economic growth accelerated to 5.7 per cent in April-June quarter, much better than 4.7 per cent in the same quarter of previous fiscal. The economy grew by sub-5 per cent in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

In other countries, the G20 noted that growth has picked up some advanced economies, notably the US, the UK and Canada. However, the recovery is modest in Japan and in the Euro area and inflation is well below target.

“The global economy remains vulnerable to shocks, financial fragility remains and existing risks are exacerbated by geopolitical tensions,” the plan said.

“We continue to monitor the near-term and long-term effects of the global financial crisis. Economies are grappling with slower potential growth reflecting weaker investment, slower productivity growth, higher unemployment and lower labor force participation,” it said.

The action plan said that the implementation of policies to comprehensively address both near-term and medium-term challenges could further strengthen the recovery by building confidence and increasing demand.

Noting that the state of the global economy calls for a comprehensive and coherent policy response that restores near-term demand, removes medium-term supply constraints and builds consumer and business confidence, the plan said that the grouping has developed comprehensive growth strategies that addresses these challenges.–PTI