Economic Survey 2023-24: India’s Financial Sector Outlook and Challenges Ahead
The Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled in Parliament on Monday highlighted the bright outlook for India’s financial sector, but also emphasized the need for vigilance to prevent over-financialisation of the economy. The survey noted that the Indian financial sector is at a “turnpike moment”, with the role of capital markets on the rise and banking support to credit decreasing.
As India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, the transformation of the financial sector is seen as a positive development. However, the survey warned of challenges and trade-offs associated with reliance on the capital market. It stressed the importance of preparing for vulnerabilities and having regulatory and government policies in place to intervene when necessary.
The survey also highlighted the importance of healthier corporate and bank balance sheets to strengthen private investment. It emphasized the need for the financial sector to support capital formation, promote trade, business, and investments in MSMEs, and provide insurance protection and retirement security to all citizens.
Looking ahead, the survey pointed towards the potential of artificial intelligence/machine learning, decentralised finance, and the Internet of Things to disrupt the digital payments ecosystem. It envisioned India evolving as a ‘fintech nation’ with a high number of fintech firms and adoption rates.
In conclusion, the survey recommended that financial sector firms prioritize becoming customer-centric to achieve success. It emphasized the importance of evolving towards data-based lending and fostering a digital public infrastructure to support the growth of the financial sector in India.
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