Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Some explanation here:

http://www.epw.in/authors/michael-walton

Bear in mind that economists use 'rent' to mean any income derived from owning something, not just rent on an apartment.   Royalties on oil, interest on deposits, residuals from a copyright.   So 'rent-thick sectors' seems to mean parts of the economy with lots of residual or royalty income, as opposed to manufacturing or retail where income derives from immediate sales.