“India is a high priority for us, it is the anchor for our Asia-Pacific investing.Japan’s an important part of what we have too. We’re not pulling out of China —and so those are the pillars. But India is probably the most important of it and the biggest opportunity,” he said.
To capitalize on the expanding size of the country and its growing economy, there is a plan to invest more aggressively. Infrastructure, a recently added focus for KKR, has shown rapid development in the past five years. According to Kravis, the existing credit business will be expanded, and there are considerations for increased involvement in real estate. Additionally, the commitment to the growth equity and private equity sectors remains strong, indicating a continued investment strategy in these areas, he said.
Kravis praised the improvements in India’s infrastructure and the pro-business attitude of the current government. “Obviously, it matters who’s elected. I have to say I’m impressed, very impressed, with what this government has done,” he said.
He commended the government’s efforts in simplifying red tape and implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which has had a significant impact on the country’s productivity. Kravis also expressed confidence in the growth potential of India’s equity markets, noting that although some companies may be trading at high multiples, their earnings can be improved significantly.
Having visited India regularly since 1989, there’s a noticeable positive trend now, noted Kravis. The significant improvement in infrastructure and the increasingly prevalent can-do attitude in the country are noteworthy. This conducive environment sets the stage for further engagement. There are no plans to adopt a passive approach in the initial six months; instead, active pursuit of live opportunities already in the pipeline is on the agenda, he said.
Read From ET | Henry Kravis plans for India
“I meet with government people here every time I come, and what I’m hearing is very positive. From being pro-business, pro-growth, the Narendra Modi government is also about pro-help, lifting the poor in this country and then simplifying a lot of red tape. GST is a phenomenal thing that happened in this country. The productivity of that alone is just huge,” he said.
Overall, Kravis sees India as a crucial market for KKR and believes that the country’s economic growth, coupled with improvements in infrastructure and government policies, will continue to attract overseas investment.
