Date:27/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/27/stories/2005042707551900.htm

Business

`7-7.5 p.c. growth likely for India'

Special Correspondent

The rest of Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow by about 6.2 p.c. during 2005

NEW DELHI: India is expected to clock an impressive growth rate of 7.2 per cent in the current fiscal and 7.3 per cent in 2006-07, according to a United Nations survey by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP).

"Assuming no major internal or external shocks and no political instability, India should be able to sustain real GDP growth rates in the range of 7-7.5 per cent in 2005-07," the survey said. Helping in achieving this high growth rate, the report said, would be the agriculture sector with a 2-4 per cent growth along with an industrial growth of 7.5-8 per cent and an 8.5 per cent growth in services. While the rest of the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow by about 6.2 per cent during 2005 (calendar year), it has projected a 7.2 per cent growth for India.