SPOTLIGHT INDIA: Thriving Amid Imperfections

India may well be the flag bearer for the global outsourcing industry.

In the last three years, India's economy posted tremendous growth which make it stand head and shoulders above other countries that provide offshore services.

But the country is not entirely devoid of imperfections, some of which it is yet to overcome.

As discussed by a recent article from USA Today, India still suffers from less than excellent basic infrastructure (airports, roads) and its government still reeks of corruption.

Development is still limited to a few areas like Bombay and Bangalore while majority of the population still languish in poverty, with less than a dollar to tide them thorough each day.

But in the last three years, it has focused intensely in knowledge-based industries. Indian companies discovered there is money in doing the same work others are doing abroad - that companies are willing to let go and outsource at lower cost.

The hunger, however, does not stop there. Indian companies have gradually evolved into high-value work over the last few years.

While Indian programmers used to write simple computer codes, they now design and build the software themselves. While its people used to sell credit cards over the phone, Indian financial analysts now do brokerage reports for Wall Street clients.

India's success proves that despite poor infrastructure, private businesses can still thrive. Despite a sizable population still living in poverty, it can still produce the most talented knowledge workers.

The same imperfections exist in any Third World country. What's India's secret to success? Whatever it is, it's worth taking a look from other countries in the region.