Comparison of best Indian states to do business in 2023

INDIAN STATES AND UNION TERRITORIESDELHIMAHARASHTRAWEST BENGALGUJARATTAMIL NADUKARNATAKA
Quick summary
Preferred city for incorporation of the company?New DelhiMumbaiKolkataAhmedabadChennaiBengaluru
Most popular business sector?Financial ServicesPharmaceuticalsAgricultureAgro & Food ProcessingTextiles & AutomobileIT & ITeS
Specific attractive Government incentives available?YesYesYesYesYesYes
How many FTZs and EPZs available?2257183626
CBD monthly office rental per sq m?US$60US$40US$26US$18US$10US$15
Average monthly warehouse rental per sq m?US$13US$8US$4US$4US$3US$3
Average skilled labour monthly salary?US$780US$700US$680US$675US$425US$750
Average unskilled labour monthly salary?US$180US$150US$150US$150US$120US$180
Minimum monthly wage for local employees?US$156US$140US$136US$135US$84US$150
English spoken by what % of population?15%30%20%15%25%25%
Computer literacy rate? (% of population)63%55%45%47%45%55%
Literacy rate? (% of population)86%82%76%78%80%75%
Proximity of sea port to the main city?900km7km1.9km109km2.2km263km
Proximity of airport in kilometres to the main city?14Km3km12km11km19km8km
Logistical considerations
Attractive State for a manufacturing business?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Attractive State for a e-business?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Attractive State for an export-oriented service business?YesYesYesYesYesYes
CBD monthly office rental per sq m?US$60US$40US$26US$18US$10US$15
Average monthly warehouse rental per sq m?US$13US$8US$4US$4US$3US$3
Average monthly electricity prices? (per Kwh)US$0.014US$0.015US$0.021US$0.017US$0.013US$0.017
Hub for the headquarters of multi-national firms?YesYesNoNoYesYes
City airport with flights to Europe, Australia and America?YesYesNoNoNoNo
Proximity of rail in kilometres to the main city?3km4km3km2km3km4km
Number of international tourists? (in million)2.44.41.40.34.60.6
Average annual inflation rate?4%4%5%5%3%4%
Average unemployment rate?3.50%2.30%4.80%0.80%2.70%2.90%
Quality of internet broadband and Wi-Fi?GoodGoodFairFairFairGood
Total population? (in millions)1812191607761
Local purchasing power (GDP per capita)?US$4,642US$2,561US$1,532US$2,336US$2,464US$1,900
Business output market size? (in US$ billions)US$76US$295US$138US$149US$167US$120
Market size relative to the economy?3.73%14.42%6.75%7.31%8.16%5.87%
Corporate Banking and Finance considerations
Is the main city a financial services hub?YesYesNoNoNoNo
How many global banks are based in the state?15258578
How many Indian banks with local branches?303527202320
Recommended Bank for corporate banking?SCBHSBCCitibankHDFCDBSBarclays
Client must travel for account opening?NoNoNoNoNoNo
Quality of bank customer services?GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Quality of online banking services?GoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
English e-banking platform available?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Does the State have a reputable financial district?YesYesNoNoNoNo
Does the State have a local Stock Exchange?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Are there Private Equity Funds/VCs in the State?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Expatriate employment considerations
Average skilled labour monthly salary?US$780US$700US$680US$675US$425US$750
Average unskilled labour monthly salary?US$180US$150US$150US$150US$120US$180
Minimum monthly wage for local employees?US$156US$140US$136US$135US$84US$150
Is there a large expatriate community in the main city?YesYesYesYesYesYes
International schools for children of expatriate employees?YesYesYesYesYesYes
General availability of bars and restaurants?YesYesYesNoYesYes
Will I find European F&B products in the supermarkets?YesYesNoNoYesYes
Mercer Survey Ranking for global cities?161152160No150No
Is the main city of the State safe for expatriates?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Accounting and tax considerations
Monthly and quarterly tax filing required?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Business incentives offered by the state government?YesYesYesYesYesYes
Average customs duty of export products?6%
Average customs duty for imported products?4%
Local VAT rate?14%
Corporation tax rate for local companies?30%
Corporation tax rate for foreign companies?40%
Withholding tax on dividends to overseas shareholders?20%
Average pension and insurance benefits (% of salary)?12%
Mandatory labour unions?No
Minimum notice to dismiss employees?1 month
Minimum redundancy indemnity? (for tenure of 1 year)1 month
Time zone? (ahead of GMT)+5:30hrs

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