With the Union Budget 2026–27 slated for presentation on February 1, industry leaders across logistics, real estate, media, startups, retail, and sports are calling for targeted measures that can strengthen India’s economic momentum. Amid a global trade environment marked by uncertainty and moderated growth, companies are seeking clarity, stability, and incentives rather than headline-grabbing announcements.
Logistics and Trade: Speed and Certainty at the Core
Kami Viswanthan, President for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA) at FedEx, said, “In a rapidly evolving global trade environment, supply chains are increasingly being designed around speed, certainty, and trust. For India, competitiveness will increasingly be shaped by how seamlessly cargo moves across borders and modes, particularly in time-sensitive trade.”
She added that the Budget could support this momentum by developing dedicated air cargo infrastructure and accelerating digital, time-bound customs and clearance processes, helping India remain competitive in global logistics.
Urban Infrastructure: Building Future-Ready Cities
Aditya B. Yamsanwar, Director at TOA, highlighted the growing resilience of Indian cities, noting that “recent urban infrastructure allocations and the transition of SEZs into more flexible, services-led ecosystems have pushed Indian cities into a more infrastructure-ready phase, supporting Grade-A office absorption and enabling non-traditional business districts to gain traction.”
According to him, Budget 2026 could accelerate this growth by deepening capital investment in city-scale planning, prioritising transit-led business corridors, and enabling integrated development frameworks, helping Tier-2 markets evolve into GCC-style innovation hubs.
Circular Economy: Sustainability as Economic Infrastructure
For Nitin Chitkara, CEO of MMCM, the next phase of India’s development should put circularity at the heart of economic policy. “True superpower status will not be defined only by financial growth, but also by clean air, clean water, and resource efficiency,” he said. He called for the Budget to rationalise GST on recycled materials and incentivise traceable recycling, strengthening domestic supply chains and positioning India as an emerging environmental leader.
Media, Advertising, and Digital Innovation
The media and advertising sector is also looking for budgetary clarity around technology adoption. Anand Bhadkamkar, Group CFO of LS Digital, said, “MarTech, AdTech, and AI have increasingly become indispensable elements for businesses to scale. Clear direction around AI-led innovation, along with incentives that encourage domestic digital businesses to invest and expand, can play a meaningful role in sustaining growth.”
Startups and Deep-Tech Support
Early-stage startups continue to face cash flow and funding challenges. Vineet Khunger, Co-founder of IndieVisual, highlighted the importance of faster TDS refunds, smoother GST input credit processing, and expanded Seed Fund initiatives for easing operational pressure.
Prashanth Naik, also from IndieVisual, added that “while AI continues to attract attention, most capital is flowing towards late-stage companies. Budgetary measures that incentivise early-stage AI investments and support applied AI in workflow-heavy industries would help startups build durable, enterprise-grade media technology.”
Prashant Pavithran, IndieVisual’s Head of Sales, underscored the need for deep-tech infrastructure in media, including cloud-based production, automation, and content operations, to help Indian firms move up the value chain and unlock creative, technology-led exports.
Financial Markets: Reassurance Over Spectacle
Ajay Kumar Yadav, Group CEO & CIO of Wise Finserv, emphasized that markets are seeking stability rather than drama. “India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, but growth has moderated. Corporate earnings have stayed in single digits for several quarters, reflecting uneven demand and margin pressure,” he said. He recommended targeted fiscal support for job creation, incremental investment, and manufacturing capacity, alongside continued infrastructure spending to crowd in private capital.
Retail, Fashion, and Sports: Enabling Growth at Scale
Vishal Mehra, Co-founder of Stylox Fashion, called for simplified GST rates on mid-price clothing, stronger incentives for sustainable manufacturing, easier access to working capital, and support for local material sourcing and skill enhancement, particularly in Tier II and III towns.
Arjun Gupta, Founder and CEO of KragBuzz Sports, pointed to the growth of the sportswear market, projected to reach USD 21.25 billion by 2033. He urged the Budget to focus on modern sports facilities in smaller cities, support initiatives like Fit India and Khelo India, and incentivize domestic sportswear manufacturing, enabling companies to expand responsibly while delivering quality products at competitive prices.
Bottom Line
Across sectors, the common message is clear: the Union Budget 2026 should prioritise clarity, predictability, and targeted support. Whether through infrastructure investment, AI and digital incentives, startup funding, or sustainability measures, the next fiscal roadmap has the potential to strengthen India’s growth trajectory without relying on flashy announcements.