India Inc remains cautious about making fresh investment, with subdued demand being a key overhang for businesses, even as concerns grow over muted recovery in the industrial sector. According to the Ficci Business Confidence Survey in which 120 companies with a turnover from Rs 3 crore to Rs 65,000 crore, spanning across sectors participated, the global economic situation remains fragile and any firm recovery remains elusive as 64 per cent of the participants signalled that demand situation would remain worrisome.
The survey measured expectations of companies between April and September 2016, about 35 per cent respondents said they expect higher investments over April-September as against 41 per cent in the previous round. The companies stayed cautious about making fresh commitments and about 46 per cent saw no change in investment levels.
Infrastructure projects, including roads and highways, railways, renewable energy and defence reported good gain. However, the Overall Business Confidence Index was seven notches higher at 64.3 in the present round compared to 56.7 in the previous one. Moreover, the manufacturing growth numbers have not been very encouraging and the same is reflected in the financials of the companies as well. Besides, nearly 58 per cent of the participating companies foresee higher sales over the coming six months, as against 48 per cent earlier.
Ficci stated that 'Given the slew of measures undertaken in about past two years to kickstart investments, the respondents were asked to indicate if they have witnessed any improvement in investment activity in and around their area of operation - and a majority of them said they are yet to see investment fructifying.' Further, Ficci noted that 'The anticipated pick-up in sales despite investment intention remaining subdued indicates companies looking at rolling out unutilised capacity.'
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