56 / 114
India is traditionally strongly focussed on the
domestic market and economic development
consequently depends primarily on the domestic
situation. Therefore, the recent nancial crisis has
generally had less e ect on India than on nations
with a stronger export focus.
Three economic stimulus packages have been
created in India since the previous Wire & Cable
India, with particular emphasis on infrastructure
projects. A recovery is anticipated for 2010 and
economic activity is said to be increasing with the
rising con dence of companies and consumers.
For 2010, a GDP increase of 6.4% is expected,
after 5.4% in the previous year. In addition, a real
percentage increase of 7.4% is being forecast for
the industrial sector.
The wire industry in India is heavily dependent on
itsmainusers, theautomotive, telecommunication
and construction industries. The rapid growth
of these industries in the last few years has led
to an annual growth of approximately 25% in
the wire and cable industry, though growth has
temporarily stalled since the nancial crisis.
As a result, the forecasts for the wire industry are
dependent on how these industries continue to
develop. In 2008/2009, wire production declined
in most sectors but is now looking forward to
a recovery.
The building sector in India has stabilised after
a six-month period of weakness.
In the current ve-year plan (2007-2012) it is
expected to grow by an average of 10% per
annum. Lately, the industry has recorded a
growth of 7%. The public sector deals with about
two-thirds of investments.
As the Indian government focuses on public/
private partnerships with major infrastructure
projects, the ratio will switch in favour of the
private sector.
Infrastructure construction is the chief stimulus of
the construction industry; the development of the
transport network, in particular, being a priority
for the government.
While 2008/2009 sales gures in the automobile
industry were characterised by uncertainties
about the e ects of the nancial crisis, the Indian
automobile industry appears to be recovering.
Annual car sales gures have doubled in the
last ve years, and are expected to double
or even triple by 2015. In addition, the
telecommunications market in India is the third
largest in the world – and the fastest growing.
Furthermore, in the internet sector, the
government is endeavouring to provide broad-
band connections to the rural regions of India.
This is an exciting time to enter the Indian growth
market, and Wire & Cable India 2010 provides the
ideal exhibiting and networking opportunity for
the region.
The Indian marketplace 2010
54
Photo copyright: BigStockPhoto.com ‘Gateway of India, Mumbai’ Photographer: Lebedinski
‘Elephant Salute’ Photographer: Jeremy Richards
‘Wires’ Photographer: Natalia Kuzmina (Nattle)