New Delhi is buzzing with anticipation as the Union Budget 2026 approaches in just a few days. Industry leaders are pinning high hopes on the government’s upcoming announcements, particularly in manufacturing, PLI schemes, exports, and investments. In an exclusive conversation, Amrit Acharya, Co-Founder and CEO of Jetwork, outlined key expectations that could reshape India’s industrial landscape.
Acharya emphasized the need for sustained increases in public capital expenditure. ‘Government spending on railways, civil infrastructure, and solar projects has been a game-changer for manufacturing demand,’ he noted. As the largest buyer, the government’s procurement directly fuels domestic industries, creating a ripple effect across sectors.
Over recent years, public investments have risen steadily, delivering orders to industries while spurring employment and economic activity. Infrastructure push doesn’t just build roads and rails; it fortifies the backbone of growth.
Turning to Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, Acharya hailed their success in electronics, solar, and auto components. These initiatives have ignited domestic production, with visible positive outcomes emerging. However, he urged a shift from ‘Make in India for India’ to ‘Make in India for the Global Market.’
To achieve this, dedicated export promotion schemes are essential. Drawing parallels with China’s export insurance and credit mechanisms, Acharya called for similar protections in India. Such measures would embolden exporters targeting markets like the US, reducing risks and enhancing competitiveness.
High cost of capital remains a hurdle in India compared to global peers. Targeted government interventions to lower borrowing costs could unleash entrepreneurial risk-taking and accelerate investments.
Praising the policy environment as collaborative and stable, Acharya pointed to PLI as a prime example. India’s rise as the world’s top iPhone exporter underscores long-term payoffs. With PLI 2.0 focusing on component manufacturing, sectors like solar stand to gain immensely.
Acharya’s top asks for Budget 2026: unwavering capex growth and tailored export incentives. These steps, he believes, will propel manufacturing and position India as a global powerhouse.