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Fitch Ratings lowers India's GDP for this fiscal to 6.9%
Fitch Ratings lowered India\'s GDP growth forecast for this fiscal to 6.9% from 7.4%, saying there will be \"temporary disruptions\" to economic activity post demonetization. It said economic activity will be hit in the October- December quarter because of the cash crunch created by withdrawal and replacement of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes that accounted for 86% of the value of currency in circulation.
Fitch Ratings lowered India's GDP growth forecast for this fiscal to 6.9% from 7.4%, saying there will be "temporary disruptions" to economic activity post demonetization.
It said economic activity will be hit in the October- December quarter because of the cash crunch created by withdrawal and replacement of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes that accounted for 86% of the value of currency in circulation.
"Indian growth has also been revised down to reflect temporary disruptions to activity related to the RBI's surprise demonetization of large-denomination bank notes," Fitch said, as it revised real GDP growth forecast down to 6.9% for 2016-17, from 7.4% projected earlier.
The US-based ratings agency also revised GDP growth forecast for 2017-18 and 2018-19 lower to 7.7% from 8% earlier.
"Gradual implementation of the structural reform agenda is expected to contribute to higher growth, as will higher real disposable income, supported by an almost 24% hike in civil servants' wages.
"But the anticipated recovery in investment looks a bit less certain in light of ongoing weakness in the data," Fitch said in its 'Global Economic Outlook - November' report.
Regarding currency ban, it said consumers do not have the cash needed to complete purchases, and there have been reports of supply chains being disrupted and farmers unable to buy seeds and fertiliser for the sowing season.
"Time spent queueing in banks is also likely to have affected general productivity. The impact on GDP growth will increase the longer the disruption continues," Fitch said, adding the medium-term effect of the currency withdrawal on GDP growth is uncertain, but is unlikely to be large.
"Most importantly, demonetisation is a one-off event. People who operate in the informal sector will still be able to use the new high-denomination bills and other options (such as gold) to store their wealth," it added.
