Draft Report of the High Level Group on Services Sector

Table 5c: Top Five Countries for Nurse Applicants for New Work Permits in the UK, 2002.102

Figures

Figure 1: Contributions to real GDP Growth……………………………………………...30

Figure 2: Rapid Growth in Employment in India’s IT & BPO industry………………..34

Figure 3: India’s RCA vs Share in Global Commercial Service Exports…………….37

Figure 4: India’s Service Sectoral RCA……………………………………………….38
Annexures

Annexure I: Constitution of the High Level Group.....................................................153

Annexure II: Names of Experts Consulted by the Chairman....................................155

AnnexureIII: Comparative table showing the tax regime for seafarers in India and selected maritime countries ......................................................................................156

Preface

The Planning Commission had constituted a High Level Group on Services Sector on 4th May, 2007 under the chairmanship of Member (International Economics), Planning Commission for comprehensively examining the different aspects influencing the performance of the services sector and suggest short-term and long-term policy measures to improve and sustain its competitiveness in the coming years. A copy of the Order constituting the Group is given in Annexure I.

Apart from holding two formal meetings on 22nd June, 2007 and 28th January, 2008, the chairman held a number of consultations with individual Members of the Group and with outside experts on aspects relevant to the Group’s mandate.
These consultations were very useful to the Group in preparing this Report. The names of the experts with whom consultations were held are given in Annexure II. Besides, the Group also benefited from inputs received from Dr. Suparna Karmakar, Senior Fellow, ICRIER.

The Group had set up two sub-Groups, i.e., Sub-Group on Financial Services headed by Shri K.V.Kamath, Managing Director & CEO, ICICI Bank Limited and Sub Group on Tourism headed by Shri S.S.H.Rehman, Executive Director, (Hotels, Travels, Tourism & Foods), ITC Limited. These sub-Groups submitted their Reports and these have been duly incorporated in the Report of the High Level Group.

It is my pleasure and privilege to thank all the Members of the Group and the experts who have been consulted for their valuable suggestions and contributions for finalization of this Report.
Dated 18 March, 2008