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The document discusses safe avenue for global investors to invest wuth focus on investments in India. Since demand is one key thing which has become volatile in current situation, it explores sectors where there is a lot of pent up or latent demand and thus are safe to invest atleast from demand point of view.
Judul Asli
Qualitative Analysis of Demand Points a Healthy Growth Rate for the 8 Sectors in India
The document discusses safe avenue for global investors to invest wuth focus on investments in India. Since demand is one key thing which has become volatile in current situation, it explores sectors where there is a lot of pent up or latent demand and thus are safe to invest atleast from demand point of view.
Hak Cipta:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Format Tersedia
Unduh sebagai DOC, PDF atau baca online dari Scribd
The document discusses safe avenue for global investors to invest wuth focus on investments in India. Since demand is one key thing which has become volatile in current situation, it explores sectors where there is a lot of pent up or latent demand and thus are safe to invest atleast from demand point of view.
Hak Cipta:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Format Tersedia
Unduh sebagai DOC, PDF atau baca online dari Scribd
A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in
Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009.
Qualitative Analysis of Demand Dynamics Points Healthy Growth
Rate for below 8 Sectors in India
Financial upheaval in Global been liberalized). Since the
Markets has upset many countries contribution of Exports & & industries. Demand has been International investments towards particularly low for Capital Goods, the economic growth was much Household Durables, Reality, less than in many other Asian Automobiles, and Toys etc. countries, the effect on these has Geogarphically, the US, most of not caused much damage. Though, Western Europe, Japan, Korea etc, it may be noted the Export sector are in recession with serious is surely looking down with Job implications in demand from Middle losses in that field, however much East (due to fall in Oil prices). of the economy has largely Much of developing world including escaped the burnt, more so BRICS witnessing abatement in because Import dependent Export demand as consumers want of Diamonds, Jewelry, stability of economy and financial Petrochemicals etc. if removed, reassurance. Food products, effective exports (based largely on Pharma & consumer goods (non- local supplies) shall come down to durables) are among the few just about 7-8% of GDP. However sectors that have not been much on the Services Exports front, IT affected, although even in these exports segment which was one industries the profit margins are amongst the major drivers of down. Investors, the world over are Services exports shall probably busy making assessments about escape with only a little the shape of emerging demand- moderation in its rate of growth, supply dynamics and how & which again because India is amongst the corporate offers or has most competitive supply source & opportunities to capitalize on has a low market penetration of emerging opportunities. Quite a only about 3% of the global few are on lookout to identify outsource services market (in “Safe” markets and sectors to spite of all the hype invest into. surrounding it). On the capital markets front, no doubt with Luckily, India is one country Portfolio Investors exiting which has only been moderately developing markets in hordes has affected (or relatively much less brought down key Indian indices affected) by the Global turmoil. like NIFTY & SENSEX to about half This is because of its limited the level from their peaks in integration with the Global Markets January 2008. This was more due with Exports being less than 11- to enhanced perception of Risk 12% of GDP, Relatively Restricted associated with the developing Entry for Foreign Investors (Read countries, increased currency low dependency on FDI), and volatility, redemptions pressure Limited integration with Global from portfolio investors back home Financial Markets (other than some and not so clear policy directions portfolio investments which have from regulatory institutions like
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. RBI, SEBI etc. especially towards segment (as a loss of confidence the interests of portfolio investors among consumers). All this coupled (tinkering with disclosure with an already depressed capital standards, restriction on purposes market & a lack of clear political for which inward flows were direction due to pending General permissible) around that period. Elections led to businesses preferring postponement of large- Higher than expected drop in scale investments in an economy GDP growth rate from 9% to 5- afflicted with corruption and 5.5%, no doubt takes some sheen nepotism. While the government, off India’s acclaim of being a safe though in election mode, did place to invest. A fall of nearly 4 announce stimulus packages to lift percentage points in rate of growth market sentiment however, an for a large and highly diverse overarching Indian Bureaucracy market like India needs to be ensures that the same shall take a understood in a better manner. The few years to reach the ground i.e. if same is attributed to being a result they manage to trickle at all. a mix of various factors such as Monetary tightening by authorities Presently, apart from Reality, which continued till July-August 08 Gems & Jewelry, Garments and (leading to higher domestic interest some Auto component for credit for Reality & Automobile manufacturers & exporters, most segment (and resultant fall in well managed companies in other demand); falling demand in exports sectors are expected to close the of Garment, Gems & Jewelry with year with limited growth or very some significant Job losses and moderate decrease in turnover therefore loss of confidence among with modest decline is profits consumers. This was also unless there are credit defaults accompanied by huge shortage of pertaining to debtors or Exchange liquidity in credit markets Fluctuation related losses (partly (especially in foreign currency on account of carry trade & similar credit markets led by foreign banks speculative deals). With present & institutions which was a result of Liquidity in markets and fall in global liquidity problem and a interest rates, consumers are general loss of confidence in credit coming back to action albeit in a selection or credit risk more calibrated manner and the measurement), which affected same measured behavior is project investments by corporates reflected in Bank’s lending which in India. Both domestic & foreign has relatively more stringent credit investors (in India) started scrutiny measures then in past. reassessing demand in the However, sales of automobile & emerging scenario, adopting a wait durables have started looking up. and watch approach leading to a The same is the case for slowdown in Capital Goods “affordable homes”. Corporate segment. This was coupled with investments still await further slowdown in other highly visible stabilization in political situation & sectors such as IT Exports, Tourism clarity of policies. Businesses want (both domestic and inbound) and a government that shall be able to to some extent in Durables attract foreign investments,
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. manage Balance of Payments and especially after its breaking the a clear Fiscal and monetary policy shackles of nuclear apartheid, direction as well as one which however they need reassurance ensures a workable security that their investments do not hit environment. This shall ensure a roadblocks of policy hurdles & stable outlook for banks (both corruption, an agreeable climate to domestic & foreign) to loosen the ensure reach out to customers & purse strings and start lending repatriation of profits. India’s towards bankable projects (of potential as a low cost production which quite a few with some base as an alternative to China or groundwork done happen to be in other small Asian countries (& India) in the prevailing therefore an opportunity to derisk environments. The prevailing low sourcing) are other added market capitalization might offer attractions. Though India’s higher opportunities for Mergers & cost of infrastructure (or non- Acquisition to corporate abroad or availability) & energy prices, tough for PE in buyout business (for those labour laws, chaotic politico- who can still afford to do it in the economic environment, high present situation). With some large interest rates, and complex tax projects like a large refinery, a environment have been large Gas field & a mini car project impediments to its emergence as a going live this year contributing dependable supply source of some 2.5-3% of the GDP and choice among investors. Its low natural growth of economy in wage English speaking educated current environment pegged at workforce with high level of another 3-3.5% (due to modest technical skills & innovativeness growth in Agriculture & services has done the trick for services with stagnation in Industrial growth exports though. expected for the year), the government estimates of growth While exports demand around 6% may be realistic in the continues to remain depressed with prevailing scenario (although a bad exports showing degrowth of up to monsoons could be one 30% (resultant effective impact has spoilsports). However, been a negative 2% on overall GDP sustainability of this growth rate numbers), the domestic demand is requires continued investments in expected to act as a driver of new projects for which it is critical growth. The consumption led that Financial Institutions both domestic demand is expect to domestic & foreign continue to remain somewhat weaker due to pour credit in the capital starved stricter credit selection policies of economy. Therefore, stability of banks, however innovation in macroeconomic environment, market by producers reaching out security & clear policy directions to customers at lower price points from the country’s government and hence expansion of markets (and polity) are critical factors for can ensure that growth momentum the success of the economy. While continues (just in same way as quite a few Global corporates & Tata’s Nano is expected to expand even SMEs are watching the Indian overall automobile market in India). scene unfolding with lots of interest The telecom sector, healthcare
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. sector are already experiencing a for investors of all classes, whether sort of boom even in the present they are large or small. Like in situation as a result of their Crude Oil & Gas, India has opened capability to open mass market exploration, storage as well as among India’s poor and Reality, refining segment for foreign Domestic travel & tourism sectors players. Its gas distribution and can be expected to seriously storage infrastructure as well as initiate exploring the opportunity handling capacity at ports also soon. requires investments as a result of Now, the investment led growing/pent up demand. In coal, it demand which is more a function requires investments in harnessing of opportunity, security, macro- coal bed methane, Coal gasification economic stability, labour laws, as well coal washeries. Its own coal taxation, government policies and mines are not producing enough infrastructure among other things coal of good varieties due to lack of and therefore a function of reforms investment & technology as well as in these segments. Therefore corruption and political quality of governance shall interference in the sector. Its continue to be an important Electricity generation as well as function affecting the investment distribution infrastructure is also led demand. Investors shall throwing tremendous opportunities continue to watch India for (though marked with high risks due evolving opportunities be it for to political considerations and Greenfield projects or M&A or other corruption). Now with the end of ways of market entry. Nuclear Apartheid, opportunity for generation of Nuclear Energy shall Though India offers only get added to overall demand consumer led demand & hence scenario. India also offers huge growth opportunity in various potential for Renewable energy sectors, there is a lot of pent up with host of opportunity in demand in certain select sectors. Hydropower segment in large as This offers opportunity that can be well as mini hydel plant segments. harnessed with targeted offering of The potential for Wind Power as suitably designed and innovatively well as solar power segment is also packages products for achieving a huge due to India’s climatic high growth & decent return. The conditions. same are discussed below. However, the sector is afflicted with a high degree of 1) Energy: India’s energy political interference, corruption, demands have proved to be bureaucratic inertia & complex tremendously resilient with almost socio-political-security no signs of ebbing of growth in factors/concerns. Reforms are demand even with high price needed at the national as well as volatility in the energy segment. provincial government levels to The demand is met through Coal, streamline policy while managing Crude Oil & Gas and Electricity expectations of a diverse set of from Renewal & Non-Renewable customers with potentially Energy sources. In all the three conflicting expectations. Unlike a segments huge opportunity exists telecom/communications sector
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. where Raw material is spectrum, temptation to ‘import’ doctors & Bandwidth or air waves with nurses from India or even tried negligible costs, this sector has using a cheaper option of sending rising cost of raw materials and patients to India for cost effective added to it a grossly inefficient treatment. Such efforts are likely to distribution infrastructure. A well expand market manifold and allow thought out coherent supply chain India to emerge as the new that satisfy all concerns and is cost healthcare destination in coming 5- effective to meet demand of a 10 years. This is so as Healthcare large majority has eluded all industry is still needs to expand players so far. Various plans to further and also look at avenues open up the sectors have only that bring down cost further. While been met with limited success. Lots technological and application of foreign players/project innovations shall continued to consultancy companies have deliver their stuff; the distribution already established presence in aspect still needs to be fixed for India with Investors seriously services to reach its poor. The weighing upcoming opportunities. capacity to absorb foreign patients This sector shall remain one of the along with its own poor population most sought after segments among also needs to be developed. The Global investors, equipment players need to understand this suppliers as well as operating growth driver with potentially companies, however a lot of work insatiable demand and therefore needs to be done to unshackle the work towards developing systems same. that help reaching poorer populations with capacity to handle 2) Healthcare/Pharma: Finally, “volumes” in a cost effective India’s medical professionals along manner rather than focusing of with their technology counterparts “upper class or foreign customers” have started to listen to its millions alone. Also, epidemics such as of teaming poor populace. Lately, a SARS, Swine Flu, Mad Cow etc. lot of experimentation to address have raised awareness among its the medical needs of India’s poor populace of diseases among population is being reported. A cattles, poultry etc. These shall good thing is that most of these raise demand in veterinary services experimentations are initiatives of and medicine exponentially. its private sector corporates and Experiments like telemedicine, individuals rather than a robotic surgery (through remote) government driven initiative. And and other low but effective look at the result. India has already treatment methodologies are emerged as one of the cheapest making headlines and raising healthcare destinations in the awareness levels and making the world and among the cheapest services available at prices which source of Drugs (generic). As a are affordable to customers. With result, its English speaking West also joining in to control professionals are among the most costs, it is expected that industry in sought after people even in this India shall only emerge much recession. The developed countries stronger and grow manifold. have not been able to resist
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. 3) Biotechnology: Biotechnology selling a costly property? So why industry serves as a research arm waste time discussing ages old to Agritech, and Pharma industry formula. Also, don’t know anyone which increases potential for who runs a business to develop strategic alliances. Tremendous homes that are unaffordable. If it potential exists in agri-business in were to succeed as a good investor Indian economy for transgenic value proposition somebody shall seeds, bio-fertilizers, recombinant have already lapped it by now vaccines and drugs etc. Global since housing is an age old trends show that all large industry.. In spite of all these pharmaceutical players are putting thoughts, I have still decided to their money in healthcare for long discuss the topic as this has a term benefits. It is expected that special case in India. First, India nearly half the drugs in the next has requirement for almost 20 – 45 decade would be biotech products. million homes to house its poor. If India offers excellent opportunity to the size of the opportunity has not start business with low capital impressed you, there’s much more. bases, highly qualified scientific & The changing Indian political English speaking manpower, system is definitely turning to focus excellent bio-diversity, suitable on inward with key issues being of patent laws and strong base of making hygienic living conditions indigenous capabilities has been available to common man at created. India’s experience with affordable price (Electricity, Roads genetically modified Cotton has & Water supply have emerged as generally been good which may the mantra for political success). allow regulators with some other The “affordable housing” segment crops promising to improve falling has or can play a key role as it not farm yields. India has generally only makes the hygienic living been favourable to bio-fertilizers & standards, an “Indian Dream”, recombinant vaccines. With its past into reality, but it also helps seeped in Ayurveda and Unani mobilize peoples’ savings and medicine systems, it offers a host future income potential to meet of ideas and opportunity to their present aspirations or ‘pent researchers for development of up demand’ in the market along drugs and food products to solve with significant job creation in today’s problems. India has market. There is an increasing potential to become a cost recognition of this factor among effective research destination with the political and ruling classes, huge market potential for players however not much action is seen in this sector. among businesses to work towards unshackling this market. Fulfilling 4) “Affordable Housing”: While requirement of “affordable homes” many shall argue that affordable shall primarily require large scale housing is one sector that shall “Land Reforms”. Land dealing in always have demand in all the India, like most of Asia, is amongst countries most of the times (even the most complex and corruption in recession). After all, ain’t this prone segment with lots of good way to generate cash by emotions and sensibilities of people moving in “affordable home” by attached to it (for whom it is their
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. only significant asset) and market where Non-residents have therefore a playing field for all sort become much more circumspect of political players. Complex laws with Job losses in their country of for ownership and transfer of residence and falling values of their assets coupled with non-availability investments in India. The MNCs are of clearly authenticated Land busy redrawing their expansion records and a legal system that plans and rising salaries of middle moves at snails pace (it may take class in India isn’t likely to grow at up to 25 years to settle legal the same pace as in past at least disputes), are all formidable for the near future. While this has deterrents for all but the most lead to moderation in property diehard investors. If these were not prices, however the players are yet enough, India’s bureaucracy in the to develop a new model for growth. form of locality development “Affordable Housing” which looks to authority, municipal government & optimize unit cost development state and central government and hence price of a housing intervention in forms of various property with innovation in design, approval requirements make this construction techniques and sector an absolute nightmare. How materials with developers focusing does the Reality player then to reduce time to bring a property survive? Isn’t that some of most to market (instead of increasing the prosperous people in India are same and using time to inflate Reality tycoons. The existing prices) and harnessing economies Reality players have converted the of scale to make their profits rather Red Tape of the governance into an than hideously inflating opportunity. They have used the land/property prices. This also opportunity of non-availability or raises question that would lack of adequate supply of land for developers not trying to bring development to inflate prices of construction cost down to enhance Land. Their model is to essentially their own profits. The answer is a buy and hold land (whatever little clear “no” because the focus of the is available), inflate the prices market was on NRI and Upper artificially through hideous Middle segment customers which mechanism (by exacerbating this are less focused on costs but shortage or combined actions in desires high quality finish and groups therefore they are often hassle free transaction. Much of dubbed as ‘land mafia’) and then the developers in urban areas have push the property at much higher been focused on this segment prices. The economy which grew at where demand has ebbed & thus 6-9% for past 15 years provided for prices are moderating, however the the success of this gambit. The developers are holding out in hope incoming flow of Foreign investors, that demand shall revive which rising incomes of the middle seems unlikely to happen any time classes coupled with an ever larger soon. While the NRI shall wait for a number of Non-Residents willing to clearer picture to emerge in both own ‘a piece of resurgent India’ the country of residence as well as provided for chunks of ‘captive’ in India, the Middle classes shall market. However, this model is like a revival of the High Income being challenged in the falling growth cycle that was witnessed in
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. the past 10 years. Both these of the private sector, regarding factors have a low probability as syllabi of what should be taught, Global Financial markets with its regulates infrastructure focus of reducing cost including requirements, has rights to inspect pay packets of employees shall teaching, advises the kind of pay to remain in their current state for be given to teaching staff and also sometime. So, it may be wise for conducts examination of students investors to focus in areas such as at certain level (X & XII). It’s a “affordable homes” which offers classic case where one failing party plethora of opportunities provided decides to play regulator and fail a suitable model is worked upon. all others involved in the process. An early entry and development of Naturally, the private sector brand value in this segment has remains harassed with the potential to create long term overarching government wealth in a market with potentially intervention. The same was the insatiable demand, however the state of higher education as well till path is sprinkled with all sorts of a few years ago, until the need for challenges. large number of trained people by a single industry brought about a 5) Training & Education: This is mindset change in the segment. a classic case of a sector which has Basically, it was India’s famed been a mess due to over regulation Information Technology industry & resultant undersupply. This has which needed a vast army of also seen some innovative trained code writers as well people corporate action with reasonable who can run and work through the degree of success. To begin the solutions offered by the industry. story here, I would like to point out This required a large army of that the Indian state makes it people which India’s state run incumbent upon its government to higher education system was in no offer basic education to all its way equipped to provide. It didn’t children below fourteen years of have the resources or the age. Responsibility of education is willingness to invest in these shared jointly between the state & resources either. It was then that central government. Since the some of the entrepreneurs rose up government has very limited to the challenge. This led to start of capability and resources, there “Vocational Training” institute in exists a robust private sector computers which facilitated people whose presence has largely been into jobs that they otherwise would welcome to the richer sections of not have been capable to deliver. society. The poorer classes have The models were successful in not been able to afford the services avoiding the ‘Red Tape’ of Indian of these private schools and bureaucracy. The ruling classes therefore scoff at the sector. The sensing the mood of the people government sector suffers from the decided not to mess up with the apathy, neglect, corruption & model. Subsequently, this model unprofessional conduct of the large started offering more complex government bureaucracy and is in variety of education and also state of morass. Government has started receiving accolades from regulations pertaining constitution the industry for their training. The
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. government sensing the need to freight segment to subsidize ticket wake up started to liberalize its cost for the poor class which can own education system via All India only pay the subsidized fare for council of Technical Education route travel. Quite a few players smell which started giving recognition to opportunity in the freight segment private institutes for various however are skeptical of the technical courses and later also continuation of this policy as well decided on allowing private as the size of the opportunity. The universities. While standards for governments needs to clarify about ownership and constitution of these the opportunity and possibly make players are still tightly regulated, reforms more transparent by efforts are on to allow foreign privatizing the Railway warehouse, investments in this segment. Also, loading & unloading segment fully lower level education system still to private sector. This shall make cries for reforms. Given the size of available vital revenues to invest in the market and ability to become a Railroads, bridges and culverts that low cost destination for education are needed to handle enhanced offers significant opportunity for traffic flow. Apart from coporate investors. wagon carriage segment, the Railways also plan to make use of 6) Railways: The railway system its land holding to generate in India works as an extended arm revenues. The ability of the sector of the government barring some to deliver value to consumer government owned undertaking. however remains unquestioned This is so because the subsequent however need to translate it into a governments have consistent in real investment opportunity needs their view of railways as a government support. However facilitator of national integration players are watching because the rather as pure transportation revenue proposition to transport services for people. This makes any India’s growing need of significant effort to reform the commodities and manufactured Indian Railways having a goods remains strong, acquiring parliamentary sanction with all the this infrastructure gives a lot of attached consequences. Luckily, competitive advantage for future, there have been some significant relative less competition & hence efforts to cut cost turn around the good margins. The railways have carrier as a result of which it is now been a cheap & competitive source in a position to generate a small for movement of goods for ages cash surplus. There has also been now, so the player are evaluating some effort to privatize load upcoming opportunity with carrying segment and allow private interest. The risk factors are that sector to operate on some routes. nobody is talking for This has been done with a view to corporatization of Railways yet, so win back freight from the costlier having to continuously deal with a road transportation segment to government bureaucracy might which railways have been loosing affect profits on account of traffic on accounts of its own corruption, lethargy etc. inefficiency. This is important to Railways as it uses revenue from
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. 7) Communications: The Mobile also has the largest livestock Telephony, Internet & Maas population in the world and is communications media through among the largest producers of Television & Radio is booming as a honey, milk, poultry and meat & result of reforms in the segment. fisheries products. Presently, a The low price penetration to reach small percentage of farm produces all classes strategy adopted as a processed into value added result of policy measures of the products. The efficiency of supply government has brought about a chain & distribution with multiple tremendous change and created layers of traders, poor storage & huge demand in the segment. The packaging facilities are also a drain companies is this sector have been on the economy & consumers. able to service customers as some India also has locational advantage of the lowest price point in the to export to Middle East & Central world thus transforming India’s Asia. Rapid urbanization, increased huge population of poor people into literacy, changing life-style, more prospective customers and are women in work force and rising per reaping the benefit of the same in capita income have all caused form of a boom even when the rapid growth and changes in the global markets are not in the best demand pattern, leading to several of shape. Government’s new opportunities in food and encouragement to E-Governance beverages sector. Already, Food and making information disclosure Processing Industry is expected to of net by governments is getting grow at the rate of 10-15%. An encouraging public response and average Indian spends about 50% as a result an ever increasing of household expenditure on food demand. The sectors are creating items. However this sector again is tremendous opportunity for politically sensitive with associated equipment suppliers government time and again and service providers as well. intervening in with policies like Altogether, communications Minimum support price for cereals is one showcase sector where & sugar, minimum export price, successful reforms have quantitative restrictions of exports transformed a moribund sector into & imports, tinkering with input a flourishing business opportunity prices of goods such as fertilizers & savored by both domestic as well distribution with laws and as foreign investors. restrictions on movement of cereals etc. Though quite a few 8) Food Processing: India has players are already operating in the diverse agro-climatic conditions processed food space, there is with the largest arable land area in scope for many more. However, the the world to produce a wide rage of players shall have to take into food stuff. It is among the top three account the Indian taste buds, produces of wheat, rice, maize, price points at which a large lentils, barley, jute, coconut, market of economic order becomes cotton, tea, coffee, sugarcane, available and distribution efficiency tobacco, spices, cashew nuts, to reach the market. Opportunity edible oils seeds, fruits & can also be explored in supplying vegetables among other things. It technology, equipment etc. to
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal A Thought paper that tries to identify safer growth opportunities for global investors in Turbulent Market. By-Amit Bhushan Date 16th Mat 2009. existing domestic players successfully operating in the market to enhance their efficiency in production & distribution and hence optimize their costs further. While the sector has been open for investment, global players have shown only limited interest in the highly price sensitive market. The investors need to be cautiously assessing weakness in the existing supply chain that can profitably address or saliency of the new products in the Indian market. Alternatively, they can also evaluate India as a cost effective sourcing destination for their global customers. The dining out and ready –to –eat segments has been growing at double digit rates along with health foods like Packaged Juices and fun foods albeit over small bases. While the same may be good news for investors, however risks posed by high degree of price sensitivity of the market offers little scope for experimentation. Therefore investors have to cautiously assess their competitive strength in producing value add to the food processing supply chain in a profitable manner.
By: Amit Bhushan Contact: amitbhushan@rediffmail.com
Author works with a major International Bank in India. Views expressed are personal