The Hindu Business Line : Friday, December 12, 2003

Bitter advice
AT A TIME when the world sugar market is full of distortions, it is strange the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) should advise New Delhi to end the regime of statutory minimum price (SMP) for cane and further deregulate the sugar sector. ... More

ECONOMY

FDI-led vs entrepreneurial growth — Divergent paths taken by India and China
China's rapid growth, increasing openness, developing consumer market, and large, low-cost labour force, are all making it the global focal point for FDI. But the FDI-driven manufacturing boom has its limitations. Indeed, India's home-grown entrepren eurs may give it a long-term advantage over a China hamstrung by inefficient banks and capital market. More

Mountain development: Rappelling up, the Chinese way
Mountains occupy two thirds of China and support nearly one half of the population. Mountain regions contribute significantly to the Chinese economy accounting for 31 per cent of GDP and producing 35 per cent of grains and 54 per cent of primary indu strial production. More

Fiscal deficit, the real villain?
The real villain for India is not the fiscal deficit but the composition of government expenditures. A better index of fiscal health could be the size of revenue deficit — the gap between government's current expenditure and current revenue. T he problem, says Alok Ray, is that in India not only is there a revenue deficit but it has been going up as a percentage of GDP. More

FOREIGN TRADE

Why `food-less-travelled' is better
THE problem of "food miles" is emerging as one of the early consequences of increasing long-distance and international trade. The fossil fuel energy spent to transport food products often exceeds the calories ... More

SOCIETY & DEVELOPMENT

20/20 hindsight
YOU have to hand it to retirees from high positions in government: In assuming the mantle of redeemers none can come anywhere near them. At the drop of a hat they draw on their 20/20 hindsight and let others have it ... More

LETTERS

Net access problems

Flight plan

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