Ritesh Kumar Singh

About Ritesh Kumar Singh

A business economist with 25 years of work experience in macroeconomic research and advisory, consulting to all kinds of organisations — government and private sector, national and international, real and financial investors as well as institutional equity players.Despite being an economist, I don’t believe in complex mathematical models and forecasting. Unlike other people’s money managers, I’m not 100% sure what will happen tomorrow — whether the INR will rise or fall, whether Indian economy will grow 6% or 8% next quarter, or whether gold, silver will crash, or Chinese economy will bust soon or later. I hedge my bets. I call myself an under-confident investor — cautious rather than certain — which is why I don’t give short-term investment tips on sectors or stocks.I’m a voracious reader and typically read 12 to 24 non-fiction books yearly, from economics and finance to motivational literature. I’m always happy to share book recommendations, so feel free to ask.I like to analyse almost everything using Economics101. I run a research and advisory company specializing in commercial and market intelligence, and analysis of the implications of policy and regulatory developments, esp those related to trade and investment for Indian businesses and consumers.Philosophically, I’m pro-market, not pro-business. I support markets benefiting consumers while opposing cronyism and rent-seeking masquerading as entrepreneurship. I don’t buy into import barriers — though fashionable these days — as a means to support manufacturing in India or the US. Such protectionism might give short term boost to stock markets, but doesn\'t boost productivity or innovation.I’m also critical of trade protectionism and Trumponomics, particularly policies promoting national champions. This criticism is not aimed at America or Americans themselves, nor self-reliance, but distortion of market principles.While I mostly read in English, I remain sceptical about western propaganda that often casts China negatively. I aim for political balance but take sides when evidence demands it. As an opinion writer since 2011, I’ve published over 500 pieces covering economy, finance, FTAs/WTO, and India\'s commercial & industrial policy.My current obsessions are financial markets, helping my sons develop good habits — reading, exercising, and money smarts (a challenging task), and keeping healthy.I’m working on a book to help GenZ (like my sons) become financially smarter, socially conscious and responsible spenders. Soon, I’ll seek literary agents and publishers to bring this project to fruition.

Experience

1. Columnist

   Nikkei Asia

   Sep 2014 — Present · Tokyo, JP

   Write opinion columns and commentaries about the major developments related to India\'s political economy and its regulatory regime having implications for doing business. My focus areas are macroeconomic risks and opportunities,sectoral business regulations, trade and investment policies, and their implications for investors, companies and employees.

Education

• Institute of Trade & Commercial Diplomacy, USA

  Advanced Certification in Trade & Commercial Diplomacy, Trade Policy

  2010 — 2011

• Banaras Hindu University

  MA, Economics

  1996 — 1998

• Rashtrpati Bhavan's school, Delhi

  XI-XII, Science

  1988 — 1990

• EXIM Institute, Mumbai, India

  Advanced Certification in International Trade, International Business/Trade/Commerce

  2010 — 2010

• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi

  MDP/Certification, Export Documentation & Customs Procedures

  2010 — 2010

• Faculty of Social Science, Banaras Hindu University

  B.A (Hons) Economics & M.A., Economics

  1993 — 1998

• DAV High School, Siwan

  Vii-X

  1984 — 1988

• Faculty of Law, University of Delhi

  LLB, Law

  2003 — 2006

Skills

• Trade Negotiation
• Wto and Ftas
• Foreign Exchange
• Negotiation
• Policy Advocacy
• South Asia
• Policy Research
• Management
• Thought Leadership
• Non-Fiction Writing
• Training
• International Relations
• International Economics
• Analysis
• Public Policy
• European Union
• International Trade
• Chinese Trade Regulations
• International Business
• Business Strategy
• Unilateral Trade Measures
• Export
• Trade Facilitation
• Business Planning
• Strategy
• Competitive Analysis
• Market Research
• Africa
• Government
• Global Business Development
• Policy
• Economics
• Training & Development
• Trade Remedies
• Research
• Asean
• Economic Development
• Global Trade Management
• Foreign Investment Regulations
• Latin America