New Delhi, Sep 17: India’s business community has highlighted the significant changes taking place in the country’s economic and investment environment, with industry leaders pointing to reforms, technology, infrastructure and a stronger focus on manufacturing as key factors reshaping the way businesses operate.
Industry representatives said the changing environment has encouraged companies and entrepreneurs to look beyond traditional markets and pursue larger opportunities in manufacturing, technology, startups, digital services and emerging industries.
Over the past decade, several policy measures have sought to make it easier for businesses to invest, expand and operate in India. Reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, measures to reduce regulatory compliance and initiatives aimed at improving the ease of doing business have contributed to changes across the corporate sector.
The government has also increasingly focused on encouraging production and investment rather than restricting expansion. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme has become an important part of this approach. According to government figures, the scheme has attracted more than ₹2.5 lakh crore in actual investment, supported production and sales worth around ₹22 lakh crore, generated over ₹15 lakh crore in exports and created more than 14 lakh jobs.
The expansion of India’s digital infrastructure has added another dimension to the changing business environment. Digital payments, Aadhaar-based services, mobile connectivity and online platforms have made it easier for consumers and businesses to participate in the formal economy.
For small businesses in particular, digital payment systems have simplified transactions and opened new opportunities to reach customers. The growth of digital commerce has also helped businesses expand beyond their immediate geographical markets.
Infrastructure development is another major area of change. Improved road, rail, port and airport connectivity is helping businesses move goods more efficiently while strengthening links between manufacturing centres, suppliers and consumers.
The country’s growing focus on advanced technology is also creating opportunities in sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electronics, renewable energy, space technology and digital services.
The semiconductor sector has emerged as a particularly important area of investment. At SEMICON India 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s expanding semiconductor ecosystem and called for greater private-sector participation in research, manufacturing and technology development.
Recent investment announcements have also highlighted growing international interest in India’s technology and manufacturing capabilities. Applied Materials, for instance, announced plans to invest $5 billion in India over the next decade, with a focus on research, supply-chain development and workforce capabilities.
Industry leaders have also pointed to the importance of regulatory predictability for long-term investment decisions. The government has said it is moving towards a more trust-based regulatory approach, including a shift from a “prohibited unless permitted” framework towards “permitted unless prohibited”.
The government has also highlighted the removal of more than 40,000 compliances and the repeal of over 1,500 obsolete laws as part of its efforts to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses.
For companies, the broader change is not limited to individual reforms. Businesses are increasingly operating in an environment shaped by technology, global supply-chain shifts, infrastructure expansion and a large domestic consumer market.
At the same time, companies continue to navigate challenges such as global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, changing trade patterns, financing costs and intense international competition.
Industry’s assessment comes as India seeks to strengthen its position as a manufacturing and technology hub. The combination of domestic demand, digital infrastructure, policy initiatives and expanding industrial capacity is creating opportunities for both established companies and new-age enterprises.
The next phase of India’s business growth is therefore expected to depend not only on government policy but also on private investment, innovation, productivity and the ability of Indian companies to compete in global markets.
The changing business landscape is encouraging companies to think in terms of larger markets, greater scale and longer-term investment, while India’s policy and infrastructure push continues to shape the environment in which those ambitions are being pursued.