The Role of Real Exchange Rate in India’s Service Export: Do Remittances Inflows Matter in Post Liberalization-Era?

Abstract

This study assesses the effects of real exchange rate and remittance inflows on India's total service exports, comprising traditional and modern service exports, spanning the annual data from 1990 to 2020. The control variables for the service export function include developments in the banking sector and the stock market and net inflows of foreign direct investment. The ARDL model is the estimating technique of the present study. The real exchange rate has an adverse effect on total, traditional, and modern service exports, according to the long-run outcomes of the ARDL model. Remittance inflows are interestingly shown to support modern service exports while impeding total and traditional service exports. The growth of the banking sector is beneficial for traditional and total service exports, but it has a negative impact on modern service exports. All service exports are benefited by stock market development; however, net FDI inflows negatively impact all forms of service exports. Based on these results, the policymakers in India are advised to maximize the effective utilization of remittance inflows in traditional service exports. Additionally, proactive intervention by the central bank is recommended to mitigate the adverse effects of the real exchange rate on traditional and modern service exports. This study also provides valuable insights for the policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance India's service export performance while navigating the complexities of real exchange rates, remittance inflows, and financial factors.