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Corporate Economy Expressions Markets Leisure 04 March 1998   Could exports be the answer? The goings-on in the Indian automotive scene have been pedestrian to say the least, compared to the hectic action in January. Which prompts us to go off the beaten path and look at some major issues that have affected the automotive industry.   Harmonise growth and interests Inder Kumar Gujral was always out, calling on Africa, Europe, wherever as prime minister. Jyoti Basu makes annual trips abroad. Laloo Prasad Yadav spent weeks in the US in better times. Politicians travel abroad to lure foreign investment. They return, and bash foreign investors inside out in speeches. Friendly takeovers not a difficult task GE Capital Services is all set to take over the Lalbhai group company Anagram Finance. In 1996-97, Anagram posted a turnover of Rs 257 crore and a net profit of Rs 35 crore and qualified as one among the top five finance companies in India. But now it seems that the Lalbhais want to concentrate on their core business activity namely textiles and want to exit from the financial services business. A sensible call Export growth has been slowing down steadily. Data for the current fiscal year upto end-January show that export growth has been a meagre 2.37 per cent over the period. Exports during January 1998 are valued at $26.29 billion, 7.47 per cent lower than exports in January last year.   Need to explain Among the many lessons which pundits will undoubtedly draw from the elections, one stands out loud and clear--the comparative success of Chandrababu Naidu in hanging on to his state, at a time when the so-called anti-incumbency factor has become a potent force elsewhere in the country. Naidu has managed to fend off a serious challenge to his leadership inspite of widely predicted disaster for his party. The Index Procter & Gamble India's efforts to build strong brands over the last three decades appear to be paying rich dividends. The company's recently announced unaudited results for the six months ended December 1997 bear testimony to this fact. Not only has the company achieved higher sales than the corresponding period in the previous year, it has also been able to improve its margins considerably.