FoodNavigator.com reports that food and drink manufacturers looking to increase profits and supply emerging markets would do well to consider India to set up their business to serve local, regional, and even global markets,

The cost of reliable labor in India is two-thirds less than that of China, according to Roberto Ferranti, principal of portfolio operations, at private equity firm Baird Capital. “Not only is a significant portion of India’s workforce university-educated and highly skilled, the country also has the advantage of the English language – an essential tool in the global economy,” he said. India’s government is aware that its red tape bureaucracy is off-putting, and is working to amend rules to help this sector establish in India.

Anuj Chande, partner and head of the South Asia group at the financial advisor Grant Thornton said, “Food manufacturing is seen as a priority by the Indian government and they are very much keen to see foreign companies going there,” As an example of the positive change, Chande cited that in the past foreign companies could not repatriate their profits. This restriction has now been lifted, he added.