At the “WB India -Talk 35” in Bad Ragaz on June 12, 2014, Chitra Narayanan, retired ambassador, discussed. D. India in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Vatican, as well as industry representatives, the impact of the election results.
Organized by the Swiss representative office of Dr. Wamser + Batra GmbH and welcomed by the head of the representative office, Ms. Carmen Heinrich, the guests met for a discussion at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland. A leading luxury resort that itself has had a successful two-year build-up in the Indian sales market.
Around 200 companies from Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein operate in India. However, companies in the Swiss Confederation are increasingly asking themselves the question of profitability and the lack of success. In particular, the years of fruitless negotiations on the free trade agreement between India and EFTA (including Switzerland) are noticeably reducing interest in expanding investments or even entering the market.
Ambassador a. D. Chitra Narayanan was encouraging in her remarks. India's population was very dissatisfied with the old government and missed a democratic lesson. The country is in a mood of optimism and has elected a new government. Never before have they experienced such enthusiasm and voter turnout (approx. 66%): in 5 weeks, people voted on 1.8 million voting machines in 1.000 centers. With Narendra Modi and the BJP's absolute majority in parliament, the well-known "Gujarat Model" and quick decisions in important votes could give the entire country an enormous boost. Narayanan is convinced that the potential of 1,2 billion people, including around 2000 dollar billionaires, as well as a growing high-income middle class will be highly attractive for foreign investors in the future. The new prime minister is already setting clear priorities, reducing the number of ministries for greater efficiency and demanding a top priority list from his ministers after the first 100 days, also noted Mike D. Batra, managing director of Dr. Wamser + Batra GmbH. In addition, pending legal proceedings against politicians are to be processed and concluded by the end of 2014.
Industry representatives also see the strengthening of the “Indian tiger” as positive. Marcel Öhri, Senior Area Sales Manager India / Southeast Asia at Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Liechtenstein, explained his confidence in the Indian business. His company, the market leader for dental accessories, has persistently invested time and money in the Indian market for 15 years. The protectionist hurdles were overcome through a long analysis and initial attempts at market development. Öhri repeatedly emphasized that choosing a competent consulting partner was extremely important, especially with regard to Indian bureaucracy and personnel selection, and laid the foundation for today's success.
