India continues to present strong investment opportunities for Gulf residents who appreciate the country’s many fundamental economic strengths, says an executive with one of the world’s largest asset management companies.

Many Gulf residents tend to think short term when investing internationally, and this ‘herd mentality’ has led many otherwise savvy investors to either exit equity positions in India funds or overlook entirely exciting opportunities now on offer in Asia’s second largest country, according to  Pinakin Patel, London-based Vice President with J.P .Morgan Asset Management currently in Dubai.

Patel adds: “India’s catalysts are enviable – structural change, economic reform, massive infrastructure investment, and a young and vibrant population.  India remains a strong contender to emerge as an economic powerhouse of the 21st century.”

Although interest rate increases and slower global demand are likely to see growth rates moderate in coming quarters, India remains well-placed to continue its rapid long term economic development.

“Perhaps, of all India’s long term economic merits – infrastructure boom; smart, young population; rise of the consumer – it is India’s economic and corporate reform which holds the most promise for Gulf investors, because it means that Indian companies are now able to operate more efficiently and profitably,” says J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Patel

The JPMorgan Funds JF India Fund offers Gulf investors the chance to benefit from the country’s strong growth potential as it emerges as an economic superpower.

The accumulated knowledge of JP Morgan’s Indian country specialists makes a real difference when consistently picking the best Indian stocks. Conducting a substantial number of company visits over the years has allowed them to gather in-depth local information unavailable to most investors.

The JF India Fund is currently over $1.4bn in size and has delivered 350% growth over the last 10 years, eclipsing the 209% return achieved by the Indian stock market over the same period (source: JPMorgan as at 31 December 2008).