A need for transparency
The millennium year 1999-2000 has many positives to it, one of which is achievement of the export target of 13% set for the fiscal. This is a welcome turnaround after the long slowdown for almost three years and particularly after the disappointing negative growth of 3.9% during 1998-99.

Going the Chinese way
In contrast, China gets an upper hand. In the apparel industry, which accounts for nearly 22% of China's exports, FDI accounts for over 50% of sales.

Statistical fallacy or truth?
At last, the commerce ministry has woken up to the fact that if it does not take some quick steps right away, India will miss the bus to becoming a leader in world trade. Year on year, the country's trade in percentage terms vis-a-vis world trade has been falling to negligible lows.

Investor-friendly policy required
Crumbling to US pressure, the commerce ministry advances the date by which India has to remove all quantitative restrictions on imports. This is part of the government’s mission to achieve a tremendous breakthrough in economic development in this decade.

Need for sound policies
India is not only undergoing an overall economic change but there is a perceptive attitudinal change among the politicians at the centre particularly. Be it a hike in the diesel prices or opening up of the insurance sector, all such steps only corroborate one fact: there is a consensus that India needs to change.

Is the hype over Special Economic Zones justified?
The current Exim policy has tried to be different. Commerce minister Murasoli Maran has tried to study India’s trade performance vis-a-vis the world. And impressed by the superior performance churned out by the Chinese, he has tried to copy the Shenzen model.

"India will have to phase out Quantitative Restrictions"
India has a lot of export potential which is still to be tapped. The government will have to play an active part to stimulate growth. Dr (Ms) A M Swaminathan, a private economic consultant.