Article: MONSOONS AND MANUFACTURING SHAPE INDIAN DEMAND.

In Indias agriculture-dependent economy, monsoon rains have a direct impact on the level of demand for consumer goods and services. Years in which the monsoon rains fail are lean years for rural families that make up more than 70 percent of Indias total households.

The southwest monsoons, which provide over 80 percent of Indias annual precipitation, brought more than average rainfall to most areas of Southern India during 2003. That has set the stage for increased sales of household goods as well as agricultural supplies and equipment in 2004. As a result, year-on-year growth in overall economic activity will approach 9 percent in the second quarter of this year.

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