Economic Survey 2023: Inflation, Borrowing Cost, CAD Key Concerns

The Economic Survey expects India’s GDP growth to slow from 7 percent in the current fiscal (2022-23) to 6.5 per cent in 2023-24. While doing so, it outlines the key challenges to growth. The survey says that borrowing cost may remain 'higher for longer', and an entrenched inflation may prolong the interest rate tightening cycle. It also expects the challenge of rupee depreciation to persist with the likelihood of further interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve.

India’s widening current account deficit or CAD is another key concern highlighted in the Survey. It says that CAD may continue to widen as global commodity prices remain elevated. However, the survey adds that the overall external situation remains manageable as India has sufficient forex reserves to finance CAD and intervene in forex market to manage rupee volatility.