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India rupee and markets up as Rajan boosts confidence | India rupee and markets up as Rajan boosts confidence |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The Indian currency and stocks have jumped a day after the country's new central bank chief took charge and promised tough action to boost growth. | The Indian currency and stocks have jumped a day after the country's new central bank chief took charge and promised tough action to boost growth. |
The Indian rupee, one of the world's worst performers this year, rose 2.3% against the US dollar. | The Indian rupee, one of the world's worst performers this year, rose 2.3% against the US dollar. |
India's main stock index, the Sensex, closed up 2.2% on Thursday. | |
On Wednesday, Raghuram Rajan unveiled a series of measures aimed at propping up the currency and liberalising the country's banking sector. | On Wednesday, Raghuram Rajan unveiled a series of measures aimed at propping up the currency and liberalising the country's banking sector. |
"To a certain extent, the recent rupee tumble and instability in the financial markets has been a crisis of confidence," said Radhika Rao, an economist with DBS Bank. | "To a certain extent, the recent rupee tumble and instability in the financial markets has been a crisis of confidence," said Radhika Rao, an economist with DBS Bank. |
"To that end, the path of action provided by the new governor and the stress on keeping communications predictable and consistent will be a welcome move." | "To that end, the path of action provided by the new governor and the stress on keeping communications predictable and consistent will be a welcome move." |
Tough decision | Tough decision |
One of the biggest issues facing the Indian economy has been the sharp decline in the rupee. | One of the biggest issues facing the Indian economy has been the sharp decline in the rupee. |
The Indian currency has dipped nearly 20% against the US dollar since May, as international investors pulled out money from the country. | The Indian currency has dipped nearly 20% against the US dollar since May, as international investors pulled out money from the country. |
The pull-out has been triggered by a range of factors, including slowing economic growth and a lack of key reforms. At the same time, a recovery in the US economy has also made India a less attractive option for investors. | The pull-out has been triggered by a range of factors, including slowing economic growth and a lack of key reforms. At the same time, a recovery in the US economy has also made India a less attractive option for investors. |
India's central bank has taken some steps to try to maintain the rupee's value and also shore up confidence in the economy. | India's central bank has taken some steps to try to maintain the rupee's value and also shore up confidence in the economy. |
However, these measures, which include increasing duty on gold, imposing capital controls and raising short-term interest rates, have failed to have any significant impact. | However, these measures, which include increasing duty on gold, imposing capital controls and raising short-term interest rates, have failed to have any significant impact. |
When he took charge, Mr Rajan announced that some of the actions that he would take to tackle the issue "will not be popular". | When he took charge, Mr Rajan announced that some of the actions that he would take to tackle the issue "will not be popular". |
"The governorship of the central bank is not meant to win one votes or Facebook 'likes'. But I hope to do the right thing, no matter what the criticism, even while looking to learn from the criticism," he said. | "The governorship of the central bank is not meant to win one votes or Facebook 'likes'. But I hope to do the right thing, no matter what the criticism, even while looking to learn from the criticism," he said. |
His statement has helped to restore confidence, with the Indian currency rising more than 2% to 65.53 rupees against the US dollar on Thursday. | His statement has helped to restore confidence, with the Indian currency rising more than 2% to 65.53 rupees against the US dollar on Thursday. |
'Pointed steps' | 'Pointed steps' |
Mr Rajan also unveiled steps aimed at opening up the country's banking sector. | Mr Rajan also unveiled steps aimed at opening up the country's banking sector. |
Under the new rules, Indian banks will no longer have to seek the central bank's approval for each branch they want to open. | Under the new rules, Indian banks will no longer have to seek the central bank's approval for each branch they want to open. |
However, the banks will be obliged to open branches in rural areas - in proportion with their expansion in the cities - in order to extend financial services to all areas of the country. | However, the banks will be obliged to open branches in rural areas - in proportion with their expansion in the cities - in order to extend financial services to all areas of the country. |
The central bank will also issue new banking licences, beginning next year. | The central bank will also issue new banking licences, beginning next year. |
He added that the central bank would also look at easing the requirement for banks to invest in government bonds, to free credit for productive parts of the economy. | He added that the central bank would also look at easing the requirement for banks to invest in government bonds, to free credit for productive parts of the economy. |
Analysts said the moves indicated that Mr Rajan would take concrete steps to tackle the issues facing the country. | Analysts said the moves indicated that Mr Rajan would take concrete steps to tackle the issues facing the country. |
"Expectations were quite high from him and he has gone far beyond expectations on day one," said Siddhartha Sanyal, chief India economist at Barclays. | "Expectations were quite high from him and he has gone far beyond expectations on day one," said Siddhartha Sanyal, chief India economist at Barclays. |
"The fact that he has come with such pointed steps in mind shows that we will see more concrete steps very soon." | "The fact that he has come with such pointed steps in mind shows that we will see more concrete steps very soon." |
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