It's time Delhi set the pace in scaling up businesses

India has moved from a climate of apprehension around doing business towards greater ease of doing business. The next phase must focus on the ease of scaling businesses-enabling enterprises to grow beyond their initial stages, adopt new technologies, access capital and compete internationally.

This transition is critical to attracting long-term investment, strengthening domestic industries and generating employment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasised this objective.

India has moved from a climate of apprehension around doing business towards greater ease of doing business. The next phase must focus on the ease of scaling businesses-enabling enterprises to grow beyond their initial stages, adopt new technologies, access capital and compete internationally.


This transition is critical to attracting long-term investment, strengthening domestic industries and generating employment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasised this objective.

Delhi has an important role to play in this transformation. As the national capital, it is not merely the seat of government but also a significant economic ecosystem, bringing together financial and professional services, technology companies, start-ups, educational institutions and a large consumer market. Its position within the National Capital Region provides access to an extensive network of talent, infrastructure and commercial activity.

However, these advantages must translate into a business environment that enables enterprises to grow with confidence. For entrepreneurs, this means predictable regulations, efficient approvals, dependable infrastructure, access to finance and skilled workers, and the ability to move goods and people efficiently. The quality of these everyday interactions with institutions often determines whether a business chooses to invest, expand its operations or explore opportunities elsewhere. Delhi's economic potential will therefore depend not merely on the advantages it possesses, but on how effectively it converts them into an enabling environment for enterprises.

Cities increasingly compete for investment alongside countries. Investors assess not only national policies but also institutional coordination, infrastructure, talent and the capacity to implement decisions. A globally competitive Delhi can strengthen India's appeal as a business destination.

But this requires a coordinated approach in which infrastructure development, urban planning, business facilitation and skill development reinforce one another.

Further, this also means looking beyond established commercial centres. Emerging urban hubs such as Dwarka can support new investment in technology, professional services, healthcare, education, hospitality and logistics. Developing these areas as integrated business destinations can broaden economic opportunities while making better use of the capital's expanding urban infrastructure.

The ability of enterprises to scale up also depends on the strength of the wider economic ecosystem. Large enterprises provide capital, established markets and the capacity to operate at scale. MSMEs support employment, manufacturing and supply chains. Start-ups introduce new technologies, experimentation and innovative business models. When these segments work together, ideas can move more efficiently from development to commercial scale.

This is particularly important for India's manufacturing ambitions. Establishing productive capacity is only one part of creating a competitive industrial ecosystem. Manufacturers need reliable suppliers, skilled workers, logistics, research institutions, technology partners and access to markets. Strengthening these connections can help domestic enterprises to participate more effectively in global value chains.

Technology will be equally important in determining the next phase of growth. India's capabilities in software, digital public infrastructure and financial technology provide a strong foundation for the same.

My years in diplomacy have reinforced an important lesson- international investors look beyond the size of an opportunity to assess predictability, institutional capacity and the ability to deliver. India's economic engagement with the world increasingly encompasses technology partnerships, investment, supply chains and innovation. Indian companies are no longer simply seeking foreign markets; they are increasingly contributing capital, expertise and solutions to the global economy.

For Delhi, this presents an opportunity to connect domestic enterprises with international investors, research institutions and commercial partners. However, global competitiveness must rest on more than cost advantages. Quality, reliability, productivity and innovation will increasingly determine whether Indian businesses can establish durable positions in international markets. Creating an environment in which enterprises can develop these capabilities and expand with confidence will be central to Delhi's contribution to India's economic ambitions.

Ultimately, the success of this transformation must be measured not only by investment attracted or businesses expanded, but also by the opportunities created for people. India's demographic advantage will become a lasting economic strength only if young people acquire the skills required by a changing economy. Closer cooperation between educational institutions and industry, alongside greater participation by women in employment and entrepreneurship, can expand the country's productive capacity and make growth more inclusive.

India's next economic chapter will be shaped not merely by the opportunities its market offers, but by the capabilities its enterprises develop. Moving from ease of doing business to ease of scaling business is therefore more than a regulatory ambition. It is a strategy for converting investment into innovation, enterprise into employment, and economic potential into lasting prosperity. Delhi has an important role to play in advancing that transformation.

The author is Lt Governor of Delhi