India to remain bright spot in global economy: World Bank

Washington: India will continue to be the bright spot of the global economy and is projected to grow at a robust 7.8 percent in fiscal 2016-17, more than a percentage point higher than China's, according to the World Bank.

In its latest Global Economic Prospect report - which is released every six months -- the World Bank marginally reduced India's growth rate -- 0.2 percent in 2015 and 0.1 percent in both 2016 and 2017.

However, India continues to be the bright spot of the global economy as Chinese growth is projected to slow further.

India, the dominant economy in Asia, is projected to grow by a robust 7.8 percent this year and 7.9 percent in the next two years.

The World Bank estimates that China grew at an estimated 6.9 percent in 2015 (0.3 percent less than its June projection).

According to the report, China is estimated to grow at 6.7 percent in 2016 and 6.5 percent each in 2017 and 2018.

The growth rate projections is 0.3 percent in 2016 and 0.4 percent in 2017. Russia and Brazil are expected to remain in recession in 2016.

"In contrast to other major developing countries, growth in India remained robust, buoyed by strong investor sentiment and the positive effect on real incomes of the recent fall in oil prices," the World Bank said.

India's currency and stock markets were largely resilient over the past year, even during bouts of volatility in global financial markets, the report said.

Reserve Bank of India, it said, has rebuilt reserves while net FDI flows have remained positive.

Ongoing fiscal consolidation in India has reduced the central government's fiscal deficit to close to 4 percent of GDP (on a 12-month rolling basis), down from a peak of 7.6 percent in 2009.

In the report, South Asia is projected to be a bright spot in the outlook for emerging and developing economies, with growth speeding up to 7.3 percent in 2016 from 7 percent in the year just ended.

The region has smaller trade links with China than other regions, and is a net importer of oil and will benefit from lower global energy prices.

Pakistan (on a factor cost basis) is expected to accelerate to 4.5 percent, the report said.

According to the report, weak growth among major emerging markets will weigh on global growth in 2016, but economic activity should still pick up modestly to a 2.9 percent pace, from 2.4 percent growth in 2015, as advanced economies gain speed.

"More than 40 percent of the world's poor live in the developing countries where growth slowed in 2015," said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim.

"Developing countries should focus on building resilience to a weaker economic environment and shielding the most vulnerable.

The benefits from reforms to governance and business conditions are potentially large and could help offset the effects of slow growth in larger economies," he said.

Global economic growth was less than expected in 2015, when falling commodity prices, flagging trade and capital flows, and episodes of financial volatility sapped economic activity.

Firmer growth ahead will depend on continued momentum in high income countries, the stabilisation of commodity prices, and China's gradual transition towards a more consumption and services-based growth model.

Developing economies are forecast to expand by 4.8 percent in 2016, less than expected earlier but up from a post-crisis low of 4.3 percent in the year just ended.

"There is greater divergence in performance among emerging economies. Compared to six months ago, risks have increased, particularly those associated with the possibility of a disorderly slowdown in a major emerging economy," World Bank Group Vice President and Chief Economist Kaushik Basu said without naming any country.

"A combination of fiscal and central bank policies can be helpful in mitigating these risks and supporting growth," he said.