If our region is to truly prosper and become seriously well off, we need to become better exporters of products and services, more aggressive in attracting qualified immigrants, and enticing our own young people to stay home. So as you wonder about how your company can launch its own export strategy, I’d suggest investigating India.

India is looking more and more like the land of opportunity for Canadian companies, and with our excellent port linkages and international flights, there’s no reason why every business can’t get a piece of the exciting action there. The infrastructure needs throughout India are mammoth and include highways, ports, airports, railways, and power generation. The Indian government plans to invest $331 billion (U.S.) over the next five years in those projects, and public-private partnerships are the preferred strategy.

The projects’ needs are heavy on construction, operation, maintenance, specialized equipment, consulting, and technology. For retail operators, domestic Indian markets are growing quickly, and the demand for Western products is rising at a parallel rate. The annual GDP growth rate is averaging 8% and the literacy rate is growing: more than 65% are above literate levels. The middle class, which is now nearly 25% of the population, is on target to reach nearly 35% by 2010 (that’s roughly 350 million people earning disposable income available for purchasing consumer products).

The Indian government and business representatives are travelling to Western markets looking for partners and investors who can meet the growth and domestic-market needs. Time is of the essence because others will aggressively pursue these opportunities. The clock is ticking.

You may be concerned about finding qualified people to do the work needed to meet the demands of these enormous opportunities. There are many ways to ensure you have a steady supply of skilled labourers, technicians, and managers—whatever your needs. Companies such as Halifax–based Atlantic Overseas Recruiting specialize in seeking all types of qualified employees and bringing them to Canada. They have access to skilled people with a strong work ethic who are motivated to perform.

There is no reason why we shouldn’t become the premier partners, investors, and operators in India. That country is open for business. The market is only going to grow. There are organizations ready to help you put your deals together, both here and in India, and local companies can fill your workforce and management needs. We have linkages, open doors, and on-the-ground expertise available to us, and there’s enough opportunity for all of our companies to benefit. But keep this in mind: While you’re thinking about whether or not to take advantage of this opportunity, someone from a competitive region is already boarding a plane bound for India.