Indian firms start attracting NRIs, expats

Bangalore: Thanks to improved infrastructure and competitive compensation levels, the number of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and expats hired by Indian firms has gone up in the last couple of years, according to experts. "In last two years, most of the companies are hiring NRIs and expats because there is an increase in demand for such skilled professionals," said Sunil Goel, Director of executive search firm GlobalHunt India to PTI.

K Sudarshan, Managing Partner-India of executive search firm EMA Partners International shares the same view, "Over the last few years expats are more than happy to come to India largely because of the fact that Indian companies are globalizing, people now want to be part of the India growth story and compensation level is very competitive." According to him, infrastructure in India has improved a lot. Compensation levels have become competitive as per the cost of living and good availability of healthcare and education services are attracting most NRIs to look back at opportunities in their own country.

According to GlobalHunt India those segments which registered the maximum number of expats hiring include - banking and financial services, automobile, infrastructure, pharma and retail. The appointment of expats in the automobile space has increased nearly threefold, while in technology centres of banking and financial services companies, hiring has increased by five to six times.

Besides, the slow recovery of western markets has forced a large pool of NRIs and expats to look for opportunities outside and here India tops the list. Any positive movement towards global recovery will give a boost to a company's operating earnings from India, Goel added.