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Economic Growth in South Asia:
Promising, Un-equalizing,....Sustainable?
India Development Foundation (IDF) has always
made a concerted effort towards identifying
the problems hindering economic growth of
India, and much more concerted effort towards
finding possible solutions to those problems.
As a part of the same process, IDF organised
a seminar on Economic Growth in South Asia.
The seminar was held on June 22, 2006 at
The Ambassador Hotel, New Delhi.
 The
seminar began with a presentation by Dr.
Shantayanan Devarajan, Chief Economist for
South-Asia, The World Bank. The presentation
was based on a paper 'Economic Growth in
South Asia: Promising, Un-equalizing,....
Sustainable?' written by Dr. Devarajan and
Dr. Ijaz Nabi. The paper identifies certain
problems like low productivity, poor quality
of labour, export performance and fiscal
deficits which can weigh down the south-Asian
growth process. Discussing the likely impact
of these problems, the paper and hence the
presentation, outlined certain broad areas
where south-Asian countries must focus in
order to reap benefit from their growth
opportunities.
 The
presentation was followed by a panel discussion.
The distinguished panellists for the day
were Dr. Kirit Parikh, Member Planning Commission
and Dr. Ila Patnaik, Economics Editor of
Indian Express Group. The session was moderated
by Dr. Shubhashis Gangopadhyay, Director
IDF. At the end, the house was opened up
for views and suggestions from other participants.
Some of the key issues discussed during
the day include ways and means of achieving
double digit economic growth and single
digit poverty levels. Participants also
expressed concern on rising inequality in
the region and its impact on growth. Another
focal point was the inter-regional trade
in south Asia. It was felt that inter-regional
trade in this part of the world is much
smaller when compared to other regions.
Most people present agreed that there exist
tremendous possibilities for trade among
the south Asian nations, which would heighten
the economic growth in the region. Yet another
cause of concern was the role played by
governments of these countries. It was felt
that poor targeting and market-distorting
government policies in these countries will
hamper the growth in the region.
Overall
the seminar was a success in flagging off
certain key discussion points on issues
facilitating or hampering economic growth
in south-Asia.
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