Indian Financial Sector Reforms: A Corporate Perspective

Until the early 90s⁄ corporate finance managers in India were given very little freedom in the choice of key financial policies as the government regulated the pricing of debt and equity instruments and directed the flow of credit. Financial sector reform over the last six years has exposed managers to complex financial choices amidst increased volatility of interest rates and exchange rates, and made them accountable to an increasingly competitive financial marketplace. Nevertheless, the slow pace of financial liberalization so far has given Indian corporates the luxury of learning slowly and adapting gradually. Gradualism has also meant that there is a large unfinished agenda of financial sector reforms. According to Jayanth Varma⁄ Indian companies should now prepare themselves for further changes that lie ahead. The East Asian crisis is a warning for the Indian corporate sector to pursue more prudent and sustainable financial policies.