City
Epaper

India to face fiscal challenges despite lower deficit target: Moody's

By IANS | Updated: July 9, 2019 19:10 IST

Credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service on Tuesday said that India continues to face fiscal challenges, despite lower deficit target in the full Budget 2019-20.

Open in App

In its analysis of the full Budget 2019-20, Moody's said that weak growth prospects for India will complicate the government's fiscal consolidation efforts, weighing on the sovereign credit quality.

"Simultaneously delivering on fiscal consolidation and raising incomes will be extremely challenging for India's authorities, particularly since growth is likely to remain weak over the coming year," the credit rating agency said.

The full Budget presented on July 5 targeted a slightly lower deficit of 3.3 per cent of the GDP for fiscal 2019 than what the authorities had predicted in February.

As per the report, budget announcements for public sector banks, non-bank finance companies (NBFCs), the infrastructure sector, property developers, some domestic producers and securitization transactions are credit positive.

Specifically, the report pointed out the Rs 70,000 crore ($10.2 billion) capital infusion into public sector banks and a temporary credit guarantee facility to alleviate tight liquidity for NBFCs as credit-positive for the relevant entities and "should encourage the flow of credit to the economy and support growth".

"The hike in customs duties on certain imported products will increase the competitiveness of domestic producers, while new incentives for the purchase of affordable homes will be credit positive for Indian property developers," the agency said.

"And, plans to increase public spending on infrastructure and expand funding sources to these companies are credit positive for the sector."

As for the funding support and regulatory strengthening for the NBFC sector, the report elaborated that such measures are credit positive for Indian securitization deals.

"However, any reductions in the government's stakes in oil companies could lower Moody's assessment of official support for these firms, a credit negative for the sector," the report said.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

EntertainmentSheen Dass roped in for edge-of-the seat horror 'Aami Dakini – Husn Bhi, Maut Bhi'

NationalCalcutta HC directs Centre to start 100-day job scheme in Bengal from August 1

BusinessSensex, Nifty end lower as Israel-Iran tensions rise

NationalTurn dreams into reality, CM Sukhu tells students in remote Himachal school

CricketNitish Rana and Saachi Marwah Welcome Twin Boys, Share Heartfelt Post on Social Media (See Pics)

कारोबार Realted Stories

BusinessRoutine annual examination, says Standard Chartered over RBI scrutiny reports

BusinessBiswanand Infra Projects: Bridging the Construction Gap with India’s Leading Industry Giants

BusinessKuku FM Faces Questions Over Unfair Practices, Yet Close to Raise Funding

BusinessTCL Makes History: India's Largest 115-inch TCL X955 Max Premium QD-Mini LED 4K TV Successfully Sold Online!

BusinessComviva Accelerates AI-First Transformation and SaaSification with AWS to Power Next-Gen Digital Solutions