Credible India Programme to improve image

CHENNAI: India ranks 134th out of  183 countries in terms of ease of doing business, according to ‘Doing Business Report - 2011’ by the World Bank. “For a country that aims to be a global economic powerhouse, such a ranking is highly counterproductive and can prove to be a big impediment in the realization of that goal,” says Harsh Mariwala, president of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). In an effort to push process and procedural reforms and galvanize the states into adopting national best practices so that India is seen as an attractive global investment destination, FICCI has launched a Credible India programme.  Under the nation-wide project, the Chamber aims to expand its engage ment across states and work with state governments to help improve some of the variables that would help raise India’s ranking in the global investment market.The Central Government has in place an institutional and policy framework. This, coupled with the country’s large and growing market and a vast pool of skilled manpower, has made India a preferred choice for investors. “Yet, we are at a stage of development, where the next phase of our growth will be decided by how we move ahead in the realm of ‘process’ or ‘procedural’ reforms and improve business confidence,” Mariwala said.FICCI will evaluate the procedures and processes of the indicators having a direct bearing on investment decisions in different states across sectors. The choice of these indicators is conditioned by the fact that these come up most frequently as problem areas for the industry. The federation seeks to identify the best solution from each state and help other states emulate the same. “Through such knowledge sharing, we will endeavour to push reforms in all parts of the country. This would bring all states up to national best practice standards,” Mariwala said.Secretary general of FICCI Rajiv Kumar said that thought leadership was an important aspect of the federation and this was reflected in the kind of speakers who graced each of their national executive meetings. The first of three meetings to be held in southern region is set to take place tomorrow, in which Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is set to participate.