India's exports since the reforms

The authors examine three successful export industries-diamond cutting and polishing, garments and software-in order, to determine the effects of the economic reforms undertaken in 1991 and discuss further reforms that still need to be made. Analysing each industry's recent performance and future prospects, they find that the reforms have enhanced India's competitiveness in labour- and skill-intensive industries; reduced the dependence of competitive industries on inefficient domestic suppliers and infrastructure; and enhanced domestic competitive conditions. Nonetheless, they find causes for concern about each industry's ability to sustain growth, pointing up the need to continue to extend and deepen the reform process.