Ease of doing business is a challenge in India: Diageo CEO

Stating that ease of doing business is a 'challenge' in India, world's largest spirits maker Diageo's CEO Ivan Menezes today said it has to be 'significantly' improved.
India-born Menezes, who is also a part of the UKIBC, also called for the governments of India and the UK to create an environment to facilitate innovation in order to drive growth in the two countries.
"We do expect both the Indian and UK governments to help facilitate environmental conditions in which innovation can thrive and we can indeed enjoy better growth, be it better infrastructure, ease of doing business," Menezes said while speaking at the UK-India Business Convention 2015 (UKIBC) here.

Referring to the ease of doing business, he said: "We know this is a challenge in India, we have got to significantly improve the ease of doing business."
He also stressed on the need to get the digital infrastructures in place and having the right incentive, supporting start-up environment both in India and UK.
Menezes said as the rest of the world is grappling with various challenges, India and the UK were in a favourable position and governments of the two countries must work together to cash in on the opportunity.

"Today when we look at India, in a world that has so much tumult and turmoil it is so well-positioned. The economy is strong, the resolve of the government is strong to keep this economy thriving. The same is true of Britain. As UKIBC gathers in New Delhi there can't be a better time, where we could take this collaboration forward," he said.

Praising the entrepreneurial spirit of Indians, Menezes said: "The sheer entrepreneurial zeal that's alive in this country is just fantastic. The private sector has enormous role to play in terms of harnessing new technologies, bring new business models and products."
UK-based Diageo is world's largest spirits maker with premium alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine as Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.
The company has spent nearly USD 3 billion for a controlling stake of about 55 per cent in India's leading liquor firm United Spirits Ltd (USL).

Diageo had first acquired 25 per cent in USL from Mallya-led UB Group in late 2012, while it bought further shares from non-promoters last year.
Commenting on liquor industry in the country, United Spirits MD and CEO Anand Kripalu said central government needs to have higher influence on state governments.