Domestic Focus Dominates CEO Agenda
The PwC India report Krishan referenced highlights a distinct trend: Indian CEOs are more optimistic about their domestic prospects than their global counterparts, a sentiment fueled by strong macroeconomic fundamentals. While acknowledging that geopolitical uncertainty is driving market volatility, Krishan expressed a positive outlook for India, significantly bolstered by the imminent trade deal with the European Union. This impending agreement is seen as a major takeaway from Davos, signaling India's successful trade diversification efforts.
Budgetary Recommendations for Growth
Further elaborating on budget recommendations, Krishan advocated for a shift in mindset from 'small is good' to embracing scale across all sectors to drive down factor costs and enhance competitiveness. He stressed that the Union Budget should focus on spending rather than revenue collection, specifically targeting measures to boost productivity in services, industry, and agriculture. Upskilling the workforce was also identified as crucial for sustaining India's demographic dividend.