Why India, why now

India is consolidating its position as one of the world’s most dynamic markets. With a GDP growth of 6.5% in the 2024/25 financial year, the Indian subcontinent represents a strategic opportunity that amec has already identified in its Market Outlook Report 2026, placing India in the top 6 priority markets.

The timing is particularly relevant due to the convergence of several factors.

• First, negotiations between the European Union and India for a trade agreement have entered their final phase, with substantial progress expected after years of talks.
• The country is undergoing an intense urbanization process, with a growing urban middle class. The government’s commitment to the “Make in India” program and massive investment in infrastructure are generating a growing demand for industrial machinery and equipment.
• In addition, India is positioning itself as a manufacturing alternative to China for many multinationals, which is driving the modernization of its industrial fabric and the need for advanced technology and equipment.

Do you want more information about the Indian market? In the newCountry Guide India 2026 of amec you will find an X-ray of the country focused on industrial companies with commercial or investment interest.
You will find it in the 📁 CoLAB > Studies > Country Guides.

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Sectoral opportunities for the industry

amec’s Market Outlook Report 2026 identifies specific sectoral opportunities:

• Food technology: The Indian food sector is undergoing a transformation, driven by changes in consumption habits, urbanization and stricter food safety regulations. Demand for food processing machinery is benefiting from the growth of agribusiness and the processed food sector, identified as a priority by the Indian government.
• Packaging machinery: India is one of the fastest growing packaging markets in the world, driven by the e-commerce sector, the food industry and compliance with more stringent packaging regulations. Spanish exports in this sector have shown a positive evolution, rising from €24 million in 2021 to more than €30 million in 2023.
• Sanitary equipment and HVAC technology: The “Clean India” program and investments in urban infrastructure are driving demand for bathroom, sanitation, ventilation and HVAC equipment. Spanish exports in this segment reached €23.4 million in 2024, showing the market potential.
• Textile machinery: India is the world’s second largest textile producer and is modernizing its facilities to compete in terms of quality and sustainability. Spanish exports of textile machinery exceeded 11 million euros in 2024, consolidating the Spanish presence in a traditional Indian sector in a phase of technological upgrading.
• Solutions for cities: The ambitious smart cities program and investment in urban infrastructure (urban mobility, signage, LED lighting, traffic management) represent an exceptional opportunity. Spanish exports in this area experienced spectacular growth in 2024, reaching €23.7 million.
• Plastic machinery: With India as one of Asia’s largest plastic consumers and a growing push for the circular economy, demand for advanced plastic processing machinery is booming. Spanish exports jumped from 0.8 million in 2021 to more than 20 million in 2024, reflecting a rapidly expanding market.

Prospective Markets Report 2026: Access this exclusive analysis of which markets will be the most attractive for amec companies, from a sectoral and prospective perspective.
You will find it in the 📁 CoLAB > Estudios.

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Barriers and challenges: navigating market complexity

Despite the opportunities, India has specific characteristics that require planning and detailed knowledge of the market. amec’ s Country Guide identifies several critical aspects for companies to consider:

• Regulatory and administrative complexity: Although the government has promoted reforms, there are still obstacles related to the differences between states, the bureaucratic burden and the unequal application of regulations. Each state maintains its own competencies that affect business activity.
• Barriers in public procurement: Public procurement through the e-GeM marketplace is geographically restricted to India. Foreign companies cannot access the portal directly and must participate through a local partner. In addition, the regulations establish preference rules.
• BIS certification for steel products: There is a significant technical barrier for steel-related products, which cannot be imported, produced or marketed without BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification.
• Heterogeneous logistics infrastructure: Significant differences persist between developed regions and less connected areas. Transport times vary significantly depending on the destination port and logistics operator.
• Business relationship management: The Indian market requires continuous presence, long-term relationship building and understanding of local dynamics. The highly fragmented market requires strategies tailored to each region.

Do you want more information about the Indian market? In the new Country Guide India 2026 of amec you will find an X-ray of the country focused on industrial companies with commercial or investment interest.
You will find it in the 📁 CoLAB > Studies > Country Guides.

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amec’s India Plan: comprehensive support for success

Aware of both the opportunities and the challenges, amec has designed the India 2026 Plan as a comprehensive initiative to support companies in their consolidation and growth process in this strategic market.

Plan India is structured in three progressive phases:

1. Market Approach (now available): Provides strategic market intelligence, sector opportunity identification, trend analysis and key data for initial decision making. This phase includes access to the India 2026 Country Guide and the India-specific chapter of the Market Outlook Report, both available in the CoLAB Studies section.
2. On Boarding (coming soon): Offers tools to design the specific internationalization plan for each company, including personalized consulting on regulatory aspects, required certifications, entry strategies, identification of potential partners and commercial feasibility analysis.
3. Landing (coming soon): Accompanies the effective implementation in the Indian market with concrete support actions, including networking with companies already operating in India, contact with support institutions, participation in key sectorial fairs, and follow-up of the establishment process.

Now is the time to plan your strategy in India. The combination of an expanding economy, ongoing structural reforms and the potential opening up of trade through the EU-India agreement provides a window of opportunity that Spanish industrial companies can take advantage of with the specialized support of the amec’s India Plan.