<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[Following are the highlights of pre-Budget Economic Survey 2007-08 presented in Parliament today
FY'08 economic growth at 8.7% against 9.6% a year ago
Inflation rate to decline from 5.6% in FY'07 to 4.4% in '08
Holding 9% growth a challenge, two digit growth even greater
Inflation and infrastructure biggest growth challenges
Skill dearth causing attrition, wage hike; pushing inflation
Farm growth in FY'08 seen at 2.6%, against 3.8% a year ago
Foodgrain output seen at 219.3 MT against 217.3 MT in FY'07
Acceleration in domestic investment, savings drove growth
Macroeconomic fundamentals continue to inspire confidence
Investment climate full of optimism
Industrial growth slower at 9% in first 9 months of FY'08
Costly rupee, sluggish consumer goods and infra a concern
Rupee rose by 8.9% against USD during current fiscal
Average credit growth slowed to 26.8% in FY'07, down in '08
Forex reserves up by $91.6 bn to $290.8 bn on Feb 8, 2008
GDP projected at Rs 46,93,602 crore (mkt price) in 2007-08
Inflation reined despite higher commodity prices & surge in Capital inflows
Growth deceleration spread across most sectors, barring Power, community services and composite category of trade, Hotels, transport and communications
Cumulative increase in non-food credit by Jan 4, 2008 was 11.8% as against 17.5% a year ago
Capital inflows rise to 7.7% of GDP in first half of FY'08 As against 5.1% in FY'07
FDI inflows reach $11.2 bn, outward investments surge to $7.3 bn in April-September
Exports reach $111 bn in first 9 months of FY'08; Imports Grow 25.9%
Surge in capital inflows, including FDI, to continue in Medium term
Complete the process of selling 5-10% equity in previously Identified profit making non-navratna PSUs
Phase out control on sugar, fertiliser, drugs
Sell old oil fields to private sector
Allow a share for foreign equity in all retail trade
Raise foreign equity in insurance to 49 per cent
Allow 100 per cent FDI in greenfield private agri banks
State Electricity Regulatory Commissions should notify Rational, credible, cross subsidy to make open-access viable
Increase work week to 60 hours from 48 hours and daily limit to 12 hours
(PTI)