Mr. Nilesh Shah, Past President, Bombay Chamber and MD & Group President, Kotak Mahindra AMC
Blog
This is part of a series of Expert Insights on 2024 that the Bombay Chamber will be posting, featuring industry experts who will give their outlook on what this year has in store.
India’s economic growth trajectory remains positive in 2024, supported by strong domestic demand and a pick-up in private and public investments. However, global headwinds like rising interest rates in developed economies and potential recession worries could temporarily slow export demand and manufacturing activity, believes Nilesh Shah, Past President, Bombay Chamber and MD & Group President, Kotak Mahindra AMC, as he shares his insight on how the country will perform in 2024.
India has strong economic fundamentals. These include domestic consumption, policy stability and reforms. These factors should help India outperform other countries. They should also help India sustain over 7% GDP growth. This is like expecting a batsman to score a century every time they bat.
The current business environment in India looks conducive for attracting investments in 2024, aided by policy stability, continuity and ongoing macroeconomic stabilisation. Sectors like banking and financial services, information technology services, and manufacturing look particularly attractive as credit growth picks up, digital transformation rises and Make in India gains traction. However, pockets of overvaluation and irrational exuberance in some stocks could pose risks for investors, like low floating stocks where valuations remain high.
The government’s continued reform push across sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, financial services is expected to significantly improve India’s competitiveness and lift its growth potential. Ongoing focus on governance, policy stability, green transition and sustainable growth makes India an attractive investment destination compared to other emerging markets like China, Brazil and South Africa. Continuity on this front is crucial for fostering a favorable business environment.
