Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
India Inc seeks enablers for demand visibility
Financial Express Mumbai
|January 16, 2026
Wishlist includes privatisation pipeline, tax credits
INDIA INC is seeking targeted policy support in the Union Budget to revive private capital expenditure, with industry leaders calling for demand-boosting measures, fiscal incentives and regulatory clarity to translate investment intent into on ground spending. Executives said the focus should be on sustaining growth amid tariff uncertainty and geopolitical risks, even as urban demand shows early signs of recovery and rural consumption remains resilient.
Harsh Mariwala, chairman of Marico, told FE that the Budget could help by rationalising customs duties and improving demand conditions.
"THEY DO WANT to invest. But they will do so if there is demand. Hopefully, with the GST rate rationalisation in place, there are signs of a demand pick-up. Once that happens, investment will kick in," he said.
The industry's wishlist, submitted through the Confederation of Indian Industry, includes a 12% year-on-year increase in government capex in FY27 to 12.6 lakh crore, a privatisation three-year pipeline, tax credits, faster land approvals for private investment and a national public-private partnership policy.
This story is from the January 16, 2026 edition of Financial Express Mumbai.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Financial Express Mumbai
Financial Express Mumbai
Rebadging woes for Suzuki, Toyota
Combined market share drops from 53% to 48% in 5 years of collaboration
2 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
A memoir that feeds the soul
A warm, unguarded journey through craft, family, longing and fierce honesty
3 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
APSEZ to invest ₹30,000 cr in development of Vizhinjam sea port, says MD
KARAN ADANI, MANAGING director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) which manages the Vizhinjam port, on Saturday said the company will be investing a cumulative ~30,000 crore in the development of the seaport.
1 min
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
600 roads blocked even as snow attracts tourists
WHILE TOURISTS ARE rejoicing over fresh snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, local residents, farmers, and orchardists are pinning long-term hopes on a good tourism season and a productive agricultural year.
1 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
US hints at scrapping 25% tariff linked to Russian oil
Dip in oil imports from Russia, lowest in past two years
2 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
INDIA'S STARTUP SAFETY NET
At a time when founders are finding it increasingly difficult to secure early backing, incubators & venture studios are playing a more visible role
7 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
Heed favourite economist's advice
I am unable to put my finger on a measure in 2025 that will qualify as a significant economic reform. In a subtle dig at the government, Dr Panagariya has listed six measures the government ought to take in 2026. The agenda is an indictment of the anti-reform stance of the government in the last 11 years
3 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
'President Trump can't just manifest peace like a mantra'
Based in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, Kim Ghattas has been a keen observer of the Middle East.
4 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
For urban Indians, way to stomach's via a packet
Now, half-cooked, ready-to-eat are kitchen constants
3 mins
January 25, 2026
Financial Express Mumbai
NFT art is big again
More and more artists and collectors are beginning to see the ‘digital’ value of visual art
3 mins
January 25, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size