The Indian Union Budget 2025 has generated significant discussions across multiple sectors, with key industry leaders highlighting the government’s focus on infrastructure, manufacturing, and economic growth.
Balfour Manuel, Managing Director of Blue Dart, stressed the importance of the logistics sector in India’s ambition to become a USD 5 trillion economy. He praised the budget’s focus on improving freight train speeds, expanding Dedicated Freight Corridors, and enhancing multimodal infrastructure for industries like mining, steel, and cement.
“As the National Logistics Policy and PM GatiShakti drive progress, we look forward to robust capital expenditure in both physical and digital infrastructure,” Manuel said. He further emphasized that these measures would not only improve logistics but also strengthen India’s global industrial competitiveness.
The budget also aims to bolster the PM Gati Shakti national multi-modal connectivity plan, with upgrades to digital infrastructure, including geospatial land records, improved air cargo facilities, and initiatives like the Bharat Trade Net platform to streamline trade documentation.
On the electronics front, Mr. Saket Gaurav, Chairman and Managing Director of Elista, welcomed the government’s push for domestic electronics manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The revision in Basic Customs Duty (BCD), which increases the duty on interactive flat-panel displays to 20% while reducing it to 5% for open cells and other components, is expected to promote local value addition.
“While the budget offers significant support to the electronics sector, long-term success hinges on enhanced infrastructure and sustained policy interventions for large-scale LED panel manufacturing,” Gaurav noted. He also highlighted that the decision to forgo $12.05 billion in personal income tax would boost demand for consumer durables, particularly advanced electronic products.
Meanwhile, Deepal Shah, Group CFO of Allcargo Group, lauded the budget for laying a strong foundation for long-term economic growth by prioritizing consumption, manufacturing, innovation, and infrastructure development. “The continued focus on infrastructure will enhance logistics operations, including storage, transport, and distribution,” Shah said.
He also pointed out the government’s efforts to improve the investment climate through regulatory reforms, such as the transformation of India Post into a public logistics entity, which is expected to enhance national logistics capacity. Furthermore, the proposal to boost shipbuilding and the emphasis on technology-driven innovation, including AI and deep tech, will help strengthen India’s resilience and elevate its global position across industries.
With its focus on supporting domestic manufacturing, upgrading logistics, and promoting fiscal efficiency, the budget aims to propel India toward sustained economic expansion.
