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Dr Rajiv Pathni
Meluḫa is the Sumerian name of their prominent trading partner during the Middle Bronze Age
(around 2600 BC). Most scholars associate it with the Indus Valley Civilization. Their major
exports were commodities like spices, textile, timber, gems, grain, copper, etc.
It appears that several millennia later the focus of India’s exports remains on goods trade. This is
despite the decreasing margins, increasing competition from other countries, lower labour cost
arbitrage, and a host of other issues. The WTO guidelines restricting incentives for exporters
would further make it even more difficult for them to continue profitably after 2020.
The Government is ably leading the charge with a slew of measures to improve the ease of
doing business (we moved to World Bank rank 77 from 142 in 2014), bringing in more
transparency, promoting digital transactions, etc. However, some lament that we do not speak
from a position of power. And that may well be true.
This is in addition to some other measures which have already been taken by the government
last year :
India is working towards trade facilitation agreement (TFA) for services, which will help
in the smooth movement of professionals.
The Government is working to remove many trade barriers to services in the WTO.
All developed economies have a significant focus on the services sector. India has the required
HR capital and knowledge base for exporting services. We have already excelled in IT and ITeS
sector. With the right kind of stimulus, the other sectors will also flourish.
However, the services sector requires synergy across multiple domains. For instance, Medical
Value Travel (a.k.a. Medical Tourism) needs not only world class hospitals but also visa support,
affordable quality accommodation, language support, etc The hospitals themselves need
internationally recognized accreditation and networking with insurance providers and TPAs to
ensure seamless and trouble-free treatment.
Do we have it in us to go beyond the Meluhan trade? Can we realize our true potential in
services sector in the near future?
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Dr Rajiv Pathni, an IAF Veteran, accomplished PhysicianExecutive, alumnus of AFMC and AIIMS,
recipient of prestigious WHO Fellowship at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.
(Submitted to IIFT (Exec prog on Int’l Business Management))