Investments in emerging markets to gear up by Indian CFOs: Says Survey

According to the sixth annual American Express/CFO Research Global Business and Spending Monitor survey, it has been revealed that 56% of the Indian CFOs have shortened their planning horizon in the past two years and a significant 75% are likely to do so over the next year.

"In the face of market uncertainties, as more and more companies shorten their planning horizon and closely watch spending to maximize profitability, senior finance executives are speaking to us increasingly about effective solutions to manage and optimize their spending. Companies using effective expense management solutions can ensure cost policy and process adherence as well as significant savings, directly impacting their bottom line," said Manoj Adlakha, General Manager & Vice-President, Global Corporate Payments, American Express India.

Across the population of respondents, survey results indicate that companies plan to invest more in expanding market access, followed closely by improving production-process efficiency and new product/service development. 69% of the Indian CFOs plan to invest more in expanding market access, while 68% plan to invest in developing products and services and 58% are looking at spending more on business and professional services.
 
As per results, 63% of the Indian CFOs say that they are likely to increase spending on business travel in 2013. The largest share (56%) expect to increase spending on travel to meet with current or potential customers, a sentiment shared by CFOs worldwide.
 
India also emerged as the top country of choice among 88% respondents in India looking at expanding sourcing, distribution, production, outsourcing and other global business activities, followed by China (41%) and Brazil (28%).