India in top investment destination list

India has emerged as one of the top five investment destinations in the world, primarily on account of large market size and high customer potential, says a survey.
Notwithstanding bullish business prospects, the survey also said that India is perceived as a risky place to make investments.
The consulting firm BDO Global Market Opportunity Index 2012 covered more than 1,000 senior finance officers spread across 14 countries, including India, the US and the UK. The survey examines the views of the company's finance chiefs to expand in specific countries.
In terms of investment destinations, India continued to be at the fourth spot in the list topped by neighbouring China. Other nations in the top five are the US (second), Brazil (third) and Germany (fifth).
The survey attributed India's appeal as attractive investment destination to its large market size, customer potential and cheap labour.
About India, the survey said that the professional services and technology, media and telecoms (TMT) sectors are driving investment in the country.
Besides, planned investment in India is fairly consistent as 32 per cent of Cheif Financial Officers (CFO) surveyed in Saudi Arabia expect to enter this market.
Among others in the top 10 are Russia, the UK, Australia, United Arab Emirrates and Mexico.
"The 'big seven' (China, USA, Brazil, India, Germany, Russia and UK) lead the index as attractive investment markets, due to size and customer potential... (these nations) are the ones that CFOs feel most comfortable investing in," the survey noted.