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Job creation topped the list of themes that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman should focus on in the upcoming budget on February 1, according to a survey of 100 companies conducted by the industry lobby Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
More capital expenditure and support for exports came second in the list of preferences.
Over half of all respondents believed infrastructure is likely to get the maximum focus in the upcoming budget, followed by manufacturing and defence.
Read more: Budget 2026 needs to be more than Aatmanirbhar
Exports have become a point of concern in the wake of the disruption to global trade, worsened by the tariff regime initiated by the US, the world's largest economy. Not surprisingly, the survey focussed on the steps that the government of India must take to ease the stress on exporters.
The answers were new incentives and better refund mechanisms, backed by 29% of the respondents. 23% wanted improvement in logistics bottlenecks and port-related costs. 13% wanted more production-linked incentives.
A good one in five respondents wanted improvement in customs processes. What would that involve? Easier regulations (90%), lower duties (69%), greater digitisation (59%), and faster rulings and dispute resolution (46%).
Read more: RBI may have to buy more bonds to check borrowing rates
More capital expenditure and support for exports came second in the list of preferences.
Over half of all respondents believed infrastructure is likely to get the maximum focus in the upcoming budget, followed by manufacturing and defence.
Read more: Budget 2026 needs to be more than Aatmanirbhar
Exports have become a point of concern in the wake of the disruption to global trade, worsened by the tariff regime initiated by the US, the world's largest economy. Not surprisingly, the survey focussed on the steps that the government of India must take to ease the stress on exporters.
The answers were new incentives and better refund mechanisms, backed by 29% of the respondents. 23% wanted improvement in logistics bottlenecks and port-related costs. 13% wanted more production-linked incentives.
A good one in five respondents wanted improvement in customs processes. What would that involve? Easier regulations (90%), lower duties (69%), greater digitisation (59%), and faster rulings and dispute resolution (46%).
Read more: RBI may have to buy more bonds to check borrowing rates
