India Inc pushes for more R&D incentives, ease of doing business

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Budget on February 1. Here are some of the expectations by industry leaders across sectors:

Real Estate

“We are hopeful of a policy that supports long-term, sustainable growth across India’s real estate landscape. Streamlined regulations and a stronger focus on ease of doing business can meaningfully improve efficiency across both residential and commercial developments,” says Karan Agarwal, Director of Srijan Realty.

Pharmaceuticals

“We seek continued support for innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. Incentives and weighted tax deductions for R&D in complex generics, injectables, and biosimilars will be key for cutting-edge therapies,” says Ashok Nair, MD of RPG Life Sciences.

Food & Beverage

“We expect a review of the input credit availability for F&B restaurants, even if it is restricted to a few expenditure heads like rent and capital,” says Rajat Agarwal, CEO of Barista Coffee.

Space

“Incentives for R&D, testing facilities, and collaborative frameworks with global space operators will help startups accelerate technology validation. Creating targeted support for sustainability efforts will enable deeper industry participation,” says Dr Chiranjeevi Phanindra, Founder & CEO of Cosmoserve Space.

Finance

“Strengthening MSME credit penetration through policy support and credit-enabling frameworks will be key to unlocking its full potential,” says Rajesh Sharma, MD of Capri Global.

Automobile

“The Budget should digitise vehicle movement, faster inter-state transfers, and technology-enabled compliance across transport networks,” says Himanshu Arya, Founder of Luxury Cart.

Healthcare

“We recommend formally recognising supplements as an integral part of overall wellness,” says Rajneesh Chopra, MD of Amway India.