A recent survey of 200 business houses found that business confidence index for October 2006-March 2007 was higher by 2.5 points at 71.8 from the previous 6 months and 85% of the respondents revealed plans for increased investments. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 66th Business Outlook Survey also showed that capacity utilization across all sectors had increased and 58% of those polled expected the utilization to end 75%-100% and another 24% said that they expected the utilization to reach 100%.

A majority of them said that they expected to employ more and 74% said they expected increased exports. The businesses also expected the gross domestic product (GDP) to grow between 8.5% to 9% but nearly quarter of them felt that the GDP may grow over 9%.

However, 67% of respondents felt that the procedural delays on exports was not reduced and complained that these delays are impinging on their profits.