Date:10/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/10/stories/2007021024580300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Role of service sectors hailed

Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI : Service sectors play a crucial role in achieving the overall development of our country, said the Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram.

Speaking at the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Vasan Health Care here on Friday, Mr. Chidambaram said that the service sector had a major share of 55 per cent in Indian economy, followed by industries and agriculture sectors with a share of 26 and 19 per cent respectively.

The growth of service sector has been a catalyst for the overall economic development, he said adding that during the current financial year the service sector had registered a growth rate of 11.2 per cent.

Entire globe was awe-struck over India's capability in international steel and petroleum market.

Mr. Chidambaram underlined the need for a co-ordinated effort between the banking industry on the one hand, and agriculture, services and industrial sectors on the other, to make the country further march ahead. Industries, agriculture and service sector would register faster growth, through their concerted efforts with the banking industry, he said. Underlining the role of vision care units across the globe, Mr. Chidambaram described as `a revolution' the services being rendered by the Vasan Eye Care Hospital in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The State Ministers, K. N. Nehru and N. Selvaraj; the Director, Chess Healthcare Solution Ltd, Karti P. Chidambaram; the Chairman, City Union Bank, S. Balasubramanian; and the Chairman, Bharat Overseas Bank, R. Krishnan were among those who spoke.