Indian companies optimistic about their growth prospects: HSBC

Moreover, just like Indonesia, the UK, the US and Mexico, Indian businesses are more likely to fund from their existing profits. Indian businesses, second only to Indonesia, intend to invest in activities ranging from skills and training to selling more products/ services online, enhancing customer experience and on research/innovation and sustainability. "The strength of the Indian economy and its demographic potential offer multiple opportunities for growth. We believe that innovation as well as effective utilisation of technology, will be critical in driving the next phase of growth for Indian businesses," said Rajat Verma, Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC India. Besides being hopeful about the growth prospects, more than three quarters (77 per cent) of Indian firms are more optimistic than they were a year ago, the survey noted. This bullishness is seen in their export projections as well as almost half (44 per cent) of those exporters who expect their businesses to grow are looking at an increase of more than 5 per cent in exports. According to the survey, there is a shift to sustainable investing. A high proportion (59 per cent) of Indian businesses, second only to the level in mainland China (60 per cent), plans to increase their investment in sustainability. "Around 33 per cent of Indian businesses feel the need to become environmentally sustainable in order to recruit and retain the best people. This is the highest across all markets," it noted. Going forward, artificial intelligence, the internet of things and 5G are technologies that will provide the most opportunities for growth for Indian firms over the next two years. All these are at levels notably higher than global averages. The survey titled 'Navigator: Made for the Future' was conducted in Australia, Canada, mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, the UAE, the UK and the US in May 2019. ... DailyhuntDisclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: Deccan Chroniclehttp://www.sfdj.com/UserProfile/tabid/61/userId/916156/Default.aspx