'Focus of foreign companies has shifted to India'

New Delhi, Sep 22: The focus of foreign companies had undergone a paradigm shift to include India in their scheme of things, which was in sharp contrast till a few years back when China reigned supreme, said the Swedish Ambassador Lars-Olof Lindgren here yesterday.

Kairos Future, a Swedish research and strategy firm, had organised a seminar on 'Indian youth in global context-youth as a consumer, employee and citizen'.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest, Swedish ambassador Lars-Olof Lindgren said by 2030 India will have the largest population and a booming economy.

He said India and Sweden had strong economic ties especially in telecom sector. He reminded the audience of the existence of a street in Poona named Sweden Street, which had offices of many Swedish companies.

He added that today's generation, comprising mainly youth , had a greater say in their nation's destiny as against the previous generations, however, the present generation faced new and potent challenges in the form of international terrorism, climate changes etc.

''Despite a late arrival of economic reforms, India was surging ahead,'' he said.

Presenting the findings of the survey carried out in India Kairos Future founder and CEO, Dr Mats Lindgren said ''Indian youth are happiest in the world as against youth of other countries who are personal optimists but societal pessimists.'' One thousand youth in the 16-29 years age group were queried for responses and for reference 300 people in 30-50 years age group were surveyed.According to the findings of the survey, Indian youth were happiest but longed for a higher standard of living. They were hard core optimists but had trepidations about unemployment and environment.

The youth were independent individuals, independent in mind and action, however, they were eager to fit in and live up to other people's expectations. Significantly, the Indian youth were global nationalists who were committed to globalisation but were Indian in their heart and believed in their religious and ethnic identity, the survey revealed.

The youth of India emphasised on career as a means to their goal but did not want too much work. They were fame oriented materialists, however, they remained steeped in spiritualism and religion.

The survey revealed that Indian Youth were brand conscious spenders but were eager to act ethically. Mrs Ana Kiefer, Director Kairos Future, also spoke on the occasion.

UNI