India’s Business Leaders Highly Optimistic of Economy’s Growth in 2021, Expect Export to Grow: Grant Thornton International Business Report

Despite COVID-19-generated economic uncertainty, 71% of Indian business leaders are optimistic about the economy’s rebound to higher growth in 2021, than the global average of 57% for the world economic recovery, reveals the findings of Grant Thornton International Business Report. The bi-annual global survey gathers responses from nearly 5000 business leaders in 29 economies including the G20.

While the report ranks India’s optimism the highest for growth in export in 2021, its increase in investment expectations is highest in new buildings, second-highest in plant & machinery and R&D and third-highest in technology, among the 29 surveyed countries.

There is a stark juxtaposition in the export growth expectation levels of Indian businesses, which stands at 65%, against the APAC region average of 30%. In the Western part of the world, 46% of leaders in North America foresee a surge in exports, the European Union export growth expectation stands at only 24%.

Interestingly, 43% of businesses in India claimed to grow their exports by more than 5% in 2020. Said Vishesh C Chandiok, CEO, Grant Thornton Bharat, “The government’s consistent push for ‘Make in India’ and rising interest from companies and governments across the globe in meeting their sourcing requirements from India will pave the way for robust exports. Relentless collaboration between the government and manufacturers and commitment to innovation will go a long way in improving exports. Development of an indigenous supply chain of PPEs within 60 days is one such success story.”

“In our research, increasing investment in infrastructure and reduction in tax and compliance costs have been highlighted as key pillars of recovery. Along with the Aatmanirbhar (self-reliance) announcements of 2020, Budget 2021 has provided the economy with a big push – India is at a seminal moment and we now need to sustain the economic momentum that we will see this year and throughout the rest of this decade,” he added.

The survey also highlights various measures the government can take to help India emerge as a cost-competitive alternative to attract companies looking to diversify their global manufacturing hubs and supply chains. 61% of respondents cited ease of access to capital as the top enabler. While 59% of respondents seek simplification of tax and labour laws, 55% see logistics and infrastructure development as game-changers.

Said Siddhartha Nigam, National Managing Partner, Growth and India-US corridor leader, Grant Thornton Advisory Private Limited, “Despite being one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, business leaders’ expectations for growth in revenue and profitability in India have improved from the first half of 2020, as they innovate and embrace the post-pandemic scenario. The announcements made in Budget 2021 will also give the country much-needed growth impetus. The government has stressed ‘self-reliance’ with a focus on building robust infrastructure and domestic trade through capital expenditure, to revive economic growth and achieve India’s aspiration to become a USD 5-trillion economy by 2026-27.”