India’s manufacturing landscape is changing at a rapid pace. Not very long ago India’s non-competitiveness in the manufacturing sector included poor infrastructure, high-tax levels, a high cost of capital, a small-scale industry reservation policy, and low-labor productivity. However, the most recent HSBC Asian Economic Insight report states, "Many of these factors have improved, leading to increased competency in manufacturing." I have assembled some facts which would be of interest for any company thinking of investing in India.

• India has a large pool of skilled labor, which ranks among the top three of 30 nations.

• Large English speaking population

• Fifteen of the world's major automobile manufacturers are now obtaining components from Indian firms.

• Last year exports of auto components were $375 million. This year they are close to $1.5 billion.

• Hyundai Motors India is about to become the parent Hyundai Motors Corporation’s global small car hub. By 2010 HMI is targeted to supply half a million cars to HMC.

• Ford India awarded its first outsourcing contract in 2000. By 2003 outsourcing accounts for 35 percent of its sales. The parent Ford is sourcing close to 40 million worth of component from India, and plans to increase these in the coming years.

• Tyco electronics started sourcing in India in 1998. It now accounts for 50 percent of its total sales.

• India’s pharmaceutical industry has been growing at 8-10 percent a year.

• The Indian economy grew by 7.4 percent in the April-to-June quarter. Manufacturing grew 8 percent in the quarter, compared with 7.6 percent in the previous quarter.

• According to a CII-McKinsey report, manufacturing exports from India are likely to grow to $300 billion in 2015 from $48 billion in 2003. The country would then have a 3.5 per cent share of the world manufacturing trade.

• Manufacturing exports from India grew 20 per cent in 2003 over the previous year.

• India is fast developing into a manufacturing hub for world corporations wanting to leverage the sector's proven skills in product design, reconfiguration and customization with creativity, assured quality and value addition. About 20 percent of Indian automotive production in 2004 is exported to developed countries.

• Colgate is setting up a brand new toothpaste facility in western India that will be one of 15 such facilities across the world.

• German luxury carmaker Porsche AG announced its entry into India's fast growing car market.