Three-pronged approach for reforms in India: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested a three-pronged approach for structural reforms in India that includes reducing the number of labour laws, improving infrastructure and closing the gender gap among others. Kenneth Kang, deputy director of Asia-Pacific department, IMF said the favourable outlook for Asia was an important opportunity for India to push forward with difficult reforms. "As such, there should be three policy priorities in the area of structural reforms," Kang said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested a three-pronged approach for structural reforms in India that includes reducing the number of labour laws, improving infrastructure and closing the gender gap among others.

Kenneth Kang, Deputy Director of Asia Pacific Department, IMF, said the favourable outlook for Asia was an important opportunity for India to push forward with difficult reforms.

“As such, there should be three policy priorities in the area of structural reforms,” Kang told reporters here.

“First priority is to address the corporate and banking sector weaknesses by accelerating the resolution of nonperforming loans, rebuilding the capital buffers for the public sector banks and enhancing banks’ debt recovery mechanisms,” he said.

Secondly, Kang said, India should continue with the fiscal consolidation through revenue measures, as well as further reductions in subsidies.

“And lastly, it’s to maintain the strong momentum for structural reforms in addressing the infrastructure gaps, improving the efficiency of labour and product markets as well as furthering agricultural reforms,” he said.

Responding to a question on labour market reforms, Kang suggested reforming the market regulations in order to create a more favourable environment for investment and employment.

“There is a need to reduce the number of labour laws which currently number around 250 across the central and the state level,” said Kang.

He said India should also focus on closing the gender gap which may help a great deal in boosting the employment opportunities for women in India.

“Improvements in infrastructure can be one important way to facilitate the entry of women into the labour force. But, in addition, there is a need to strengthen the implementation of specific gender regulations, as well as to invest more in gender specific training and education,” Kang said.

According to IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook, India’s growth slowed in recent quarters due to the temporary disruptions from the currency exchange initiative — demonetisation — that took place in November 2016, and the recent roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST).

The report also said the growth in 2017 was revised downward to reflect the recent slowdown, but is expected to accelerate in the medium term as these temporary disruptions fade.