India

For decades, foreign investors have looked to India for its agriculture, textiles and other labor intensive products. In today's global marketplace, however, India has increasingly turned to more value added industries - the services, manufacturing, information and communication technologies sector - as focuses of new foreign capital.

"India's goal today is to assert itself, develop its infrastructure and motivate its thriving pool of technical manpower," said Vishwanath Prasad Singh, chairman and managing director of India's first developmental finance institution - IFCI. "Our focus with the foreign market is to help existing enterprises restructure, reduce their costs, and help them raise capital from the market. We can also assist with finance and expansion plans, and help if they are looking for a project loan."

IFCI also advises and supports foreign companies interested in investing in India's economy and establishing a base in the country. "We have found many investors are initially hesitant about India because they fear there may be a lack of stability here, in relation to other Asian countries," he comments. "Thankfully India has a highly qualified labor force, and some of the world's most technologically sound engineers. We are able to collect and provide reliable information for any question potential investors may have."
Vishwanath Prasad Singh, chairman and managing director of Industrial Finance Corporation of India

Aside from offering advisory and financial services, IFCI also has its own office block, with space to rent to its clients. "We are able to offer newcomers an initial location where they can have their first office," explains Singh. "We have developed a business center inside our tower block, and are therefore able to support enterprises in all aspects of their business affairs."

Asked about what IFCI can do specifically for Japanese investors, he replies emphatically: "Japan is very close to me. I did some of my training in the financial sector with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. In fact you could say I am one of the bank's alumni. It would therefore give me a lot of pleasure to see more Japanese come to India. They should invest here. They can rely on our support services, and we can assure them world class service. We understand the Japanese like to build long relationships. Well, we can promise they will have a long term partner in IFCI."

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