New Delhi: Ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to accelerate structural reforms aimed at boosting private investment, enhancing competitiveness, and sustaining high economic growth amid a challenging global environment.
In its pre-Budget recommendations, CII stressed that India’s next phase of growth must be investment-led, supported by policy certainty, ease of doing business, and targeted incentives for manufacturing and infrastructure. The industry body noted that while public capital expenditure has played a critical role in recent years, crowding in private investment is now essential to maintain momentum.
Key Reform Priorities
CII called for continued focus on infrastructure spending, particularly in transport, logistics, energy, and urban development, to lower costs and improve productivity. It also advocated measures to strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem under Make in India, including rationalisation of tariffs, faster clearances, and stable trade policies.
On taxation, the industry body recommended simplification and predictability, including a review of legacy disputes and further streamlining of GST compliance to ease the burden on businesses, especially MSMEs.
Boost to MSMEs and Start-ups
Highlighting the role of small businesses in job creation, CII sought enhanced access to credit, technology adoption, and skilling support for MSMEs. It also called for continued policy support for start-ups to foster innovation and attract global capital.
Labour, Skills and Sustainability
CII emphasised the need for faster implementation of labour reforms, aligned skilling initiatives, and incentives for green technologies to support India’s transition to a low-carbon economy while creating new employment opportunities.
Growth Outlook
According to CII, a reform-oriented Budget that reinforces fiscal prudence while prioritising growth-oriented spending could help India sustain a high growth trajectory, strengthen investor confidence, and position the economy as a resilient global growth engine.
The industry body said Budget 2026–27 presents a critical opportunity for the government to deepen reforms and unlock the next cycle of investment-driven expansion.