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NEW DELHI, the political centre of India, is now fast becoming a commercial hub to rival Mumbai. Little wonder that Singapore companies are pouring nearly as much money into the Indian capital as they do into its financial centre.

Direct investments by Singapore companies in New Delhi have grown to US$235 million by July last year, not far from the amount they have sunk into Mumbai - US$250 million, according to Mike Ng, International Enterprise Singapore's centre director in New Delhi.

Among the Singapore companies which have made it in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) are Gateway Distriparks (GDL), Kato Springs and e-Sys Information Technologies. Others include DBS Bank, Pico International, OSIM and Singapore Airlines.

New Delhi is turning into a welcoming business destination, especially for Singapore companies, Mr Ng says. 'Many businessmen from the Delhi NCR also travel frequently to Singapore and have become more familiar with Singapore companies' capabilities, thus needing fewer introductions.'

Singapore companies now have a physical presence in banking, trade logistics, trading, exhibitions, industrial engineering products, public relations, infrastructure services, education, airline and airline catering, interior design, security services and healthcare businesses in the Delhi NCR region.

Mr Ng sees great potential for Singapore providers of services relating to urban infrastructure and the environment as well as hospitality management and education.

'Over the next two or three years, Delhi NCR will continue to experience tremendous growth in commercial, residential, hotel and retail developments,' he says. 'These have been fuelled by the boom in the information technology sector, changing demographics, surge in tourist and business traveller numbers and improved consumer purchasing power.'

Indian industries ranging from knowledge process outsourcing to research and development in healthcare, biotechnology, e-governance and IT are on the prowl to recruit highly skilled workers who are in short supply. Mr Ng says Singapore education providers have a chance to fill the gap once the Foreign Education Providers (regulation) Bill is passed by Parliament. They can then set up campuses in New Delhi, where these industries have a significant presence.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will further throw up plenty of opportunities for Singapore businesses. Delhi has already started sprucing up the capital for the event, giving its aiport and metro a new modern look while carrying out extensive repair and cleaning works on its public amenities. Construction of game venues and hotels is underway.

'With so many expected developments, major property developers based in Delhi NCR have charted ambitious growth plans for the region and beyond,' Mr Ng says. 'Master and urban planning, architecture, construction, hotel and service apartment management, water and solid waste management are some of the services these developers are looking for foreign collaborations.'

'Furthermore, Delhi NCR is in a landlocked region with no access to port facilities,' Mr Ng says. 'Transportation of goods, especially perishables, into Delhi NCR can be relatively expensive.'

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