By Smita Prakash

Washington, Nov. 23 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday assured that economic reforms being carried out by India will continue.

Addressing business leaders of India and the United States at a luncheon here, Dr. Singh said: “Whenever I meet businessmen to talk of our plans for the future, the question I am most often asked is whether economic reform will continue.”

“You should have no doubt on that score. The economic reforms of the past have brought us advantages and, I can assure you, that we will continue down the road. We might do it gradually and in a manner which builds a consensus for change, but I assure you we will persevere,” he added.

The Prime Minister further said that the Indian Government has plans to support vital reforms aimed to control the country’s deficit.

“We plan to push ahead on key reforms in several areas, especially those aimed at bringing the deficit under control while ensuring a strong expansion in investment in infrastructure,” Dr. Singh said.

Dr. Singh was addressing the US-India Business Council (USIBC) which is the premier business advocacy organization representing America’s top companies investing in India, joined by global Indian companies, promoting economic reforms with an aim to deepen trade and strengthen commercial ties.

He also said the government is committed to development and legal reforms.

“Tax reforms, especially the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax are a very important part of the agenda. So, also are financial sector reforms. We are also committed to major reforms in education and skill development,” Dr. Singh said.

“We have started a programme to raise resources by the sale of equity in public sector enterprises. Legal reforms aimed at reducing delays are another priority,” he added.

Dr. Singh is best known as the “liberator” of the Indian economy. As the Union Finance Minister in the Narasimha Rao Government (1991-96), he liberalised the economy to put India on the path of globalisation.

He is also widely credited with carrying out economic reforms in India, which prompted its current growth. It included opening the country to international trade and investment, deregulation of its industries, privatisation, tax reform and instituting measures to contain inflation. (ANI)