Union Budget 2025: A Step Forward for Marketing and Economy

The Union Budget 2025 offers both opportunities and challenges for Indian businesses, particularly in marketing and advertising within the Gulf region. The budget focuses on increasing disposable incomes and digital infrastructure, but lacks a reduction in GST, affecting SMEs reliant on cross-border marketing.

The Union Budget 2025, presented recently, has garnered mixed reactions from business leaders, especially concerning its impact on the marketing and advertising sectors. Notably, the budget presents new opportunities but also raises some concerns.

Bhavesh Talreja, CEO of Globale Media, highlighted how the budget's focus on increasing disposable income through revised tax structures may boost consumer spending. This change could lead to higher marketing investments by Indian brands, many of which maintain strong ties to the Gulf region.

The budget's emphasis on digital infrastructure development and 5G expansion is seen positively, potentially accelerating ad tech innovation. However, Talreja also pointed out the missed opportunity due to the absence of a reduction in GST for advertising services, which could impact SMEs and digital-first brands.

(With inputs from agencies.)