China-India-Pakistan: disparities and weak links in economic performance

By:

Etienne, Gilbert

Material type: Text

TextPublication details: New Delhi; Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies; 1997Description: 46 pSubject(s):

International economics China India Pakistan

DDC classification:

337.540549 ETI

Summary: In both India and Pakistan, it is not uncommon to hear these questions: What is wrong with us, why have we been left behind by China, the Dragons and Tigers of East Asia? In the 1950's, they were not so much ahead of us, some were behind. This study aims at explaining the gaps in performance between China on the one hand, India and Pakistan on the other. The second part deals with weak links common to all three countries. The great luck of China can be summarized in a few words: Deng Xiaoping and Hong Kong, i.e. a leader of outstanding calibre and the advantages brought by the Chinese diaspora from Hong Kong, later on from Taiwan and South East Asia. Hong Kong supplies 60 to 66% of total foreign direct investments. China enjoyed also the advantage to be located in the most dynamic economic area of the world. Such advantages are lacking in India and Pakistan. Other factors enter the picture, such as politics and economic policies, family planning, human development... The second part of this study reviews some weak links common to each country. Hydraulic works and agriculture in general need more investments and for recurrent expenditures. There is a growing imbalance between infrastructure (electricity, transport, telecommunications) and the overall growth of the economy, the former lagging behind the latter. The deterioration of infrastructure is like a creeping disease. It will not bring growth to a halt but, within the next ten years or more, there is a real danger that the pace of progress could slow down in all three countries and in others facing similar weaknesses, like for instance Vietnam. It is far from sure that, at this stage, the globalization will help in a decisive manner to improve the situation, since private foreign investors do not seem much interested in infrastructure projects. This conclusion goes against views frequently heard on China becoming within twenty years an economic giant, India and Pakistan soon joining the Dragons and Tigers Club.

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Books	Gandhi Smriti Library	337.540549 ETI (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available		81599

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In both India and Pakistan, it is not uncommon to hear these questions: What is wrong with us, why have we been left behind by China, the Dragons and Tigers of East Asia? In the 1950's, they were not so much ahead of us, some were behind. This study aims at explaining the gaps in performance between China on the one hand, India and Pakistan on the other. The second part deals with weak links common to all three countries.

The great luck of China can be summarized in a few words: Deng Xiaoping and Hong Kong, i.e. a leader of outstanding calibre and the advantages brought by the Chinese diaspora from Hong Kong, later on from Taiwan and South East Asia. Hong Kong supplies 60 to 66% of total foreign direct investments. China enjoyed also the advantage to be located in the most dynamic economic area of the world. Such advantages are lacking in India and Pakistan.
Other factors enter the picture, such as politics and economic policies, family planning, human development...

The second part of this study reviews some weak links common to each country. Hydraulic works and agriculture in general need more investments and for recurrent expenditures. There is a growing imbalance between infrastructure (electricity, transport, telecommunications) and the overall growth of the economy, the former lagging behind the latter.

The deterioration of infrastructure is like a creeping disease. It will not bring growth to a halt but, within the next ten years or more, there is a real danger that the pace of progress could slow down in all three countries and in others facing similar weaknesses, like for instance Vietnam.

It is far from sure that, at this stage, the globalization will help in a decisive manner to improve the situation, since private foreign investors do not seem much interested in infrastructure projects.

This conclusion goes against views frequently heard on China becoming within twenty years an economic giant, India and Pakistan soon joining the Dragons and Tigers Club.

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