S&P Global Ratings is expecting India's economy to shrink by 9 per cent in fiscal 2020-21, higher than its previous estimate of a 5 per cent contraction. "While India eased lockdowns in June, we believe the pandemic will continue to restrain economic activity ... As long as the virus spread remains uncontained, consumers will be cautious in going out and spending and firms will be under strain," it said in a note.
Rising COVID-19 cases would keep private spending and investment lower for longer.S&P Global Ratings is expecting India's economy to shrink by 9 per cent in 2020-21, higher than its earlier estimate of 5 per cent. Rising COVID-19 cases would keep private spending and investment lower for longer and the potential for further support monetary support is curbed by the country's inflation worries, the rating organization said.#
"The potential for further support monetary support is curbed by India's inflation worries," Vishrut Rana, Asia-Pacific economist of the company was quoted as saying by a news agency.
The Reserve Bank of India has cut policy rates by 115 basis points so far this year.
India's high deficit also limits the scope for further fiscal stimulus, S&P added. It expects a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6 per cent in fiscal 2021-22 and 6.2 per cent in 2022-23.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)