In recent times we saw 2008 financial crisis and the present eurozone credit crisis.
India also saw 2 major financial crises which led to 2 subsequent INR devaluation.
Foreign currency reserves are very critical aspect of any country's ability to engage in commerce
with other countries.
Usually the larger the foreign currency reserves the better the country is placed to fight
any financial crisis.India saw two major financial crises in year 1966 and 1991
1966 DEVALUATIONAs a developing economy, it is to be expected that India would import more than it exports. Despite government attempts to obtain a positive trade balance, India has had consistent balance of payment deficits since the 1950s. The 1966 devaluation was the result of the first major financial crisis the government faced.
6 June, 1966: Rupee is devalued, Rs 4.76 = $1, after devaluation, Rs 7.50 = $1 (57.5%)
1991 DEVALUATIONIn 1991, India still had a fixed exchange rate system, where the rupee was pegged to the value of a basket of currencies of major trading partners. At the end of 1990, the Government of India found itself in serious economic trouble. The government was close to default and its foreign exchange reserves had dried up to the point that India could barely finance three weeks’ worth of imports. In July of 1991 the Indian government devalued the rupee by between 18 and 19 percent.
March 1993: Unified exchange rate: $1 = Rs 31.37
We recently saw a all time low of$1= Rs 52.73 nov(22) 2011
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USDINR monthly chart suggests their could be some consolidation between 54 to 48 levels
before going towards 58-60 .How its gonna effect economy need to be seen.
In 2008 nifty had fallen 51.8% (6136-2959)closing basis USDINR had rocketed to 52.50 by march 2009.
In 2011 we have fallen 17.9% (6177-5039) closing basis USDINR already touched a all time
high of 52.73
Testing time for economy ahead .
RESEARCH REPORTS