Can’t compare India, China: Venkatesh Kini, Coca-Cola official

NEW DELHI: In the next 10 years, India will not face competition from China but from other emerging markets, said Venkatesh Kini, president, India and Southwest Asia, Coca Cola.

Speaking at a Hero Mindmine Summit 2015 held in the city, Kini said comparing India to China is like comparing apples to oranges. "The economic models of the two countries are completely different. In the future, who knows, talent and other fuels for growth may emerge from markets such as Philippines and African countries," he said.

Recently, affordable talent in countries such as Philippines has witnessed India's once booming BPO shift base. Around 30% of graduates in Philippines are employable compared with 10% here. Kini said that the country's 'demographic dividend' (India's large youth population) is not going to attract capital on its own.

A report by an NGO, Pratham, reveals that half of India's seven-year-olds cannot read letters, and one in every five 10-year-olds cannot read sentences. When asked about the steps needed to accelerate economic growth, Kini said, "We need to develop physical infrastructure. We need to invest in human capital."