Zoho CEO Sridhar Vambu praised the ‘survival strategy’ of Chinese entrepreneurs, who have successfully navigated internal protectionist barriers within China’s economy. The Zoho CEO said it is a ‘source of inspiration’ for him whenever he is ‘tempted to complain’.
In a post by X, Vembu, “My point in posting the comparison with China is to show that Chinese companies have overcome many challenges from corruption to red tape. This is my inspiration; whenever I have to complain Greed comes in, I think of Chinese entrepreneurs.
Highlighting an article mentioning protectionism and other trade barriers in China’s regions, he said, “Chinese entrepreneurs focus too much on exports, perhaps because it is much easier to export than to sell in China! Other Exporting in words may be a survival strategy for Chinese entrepreneurs, not a sign of strength.
Vambu had earlier advocated for India to mirror China’s technological and industrial development. In a previous post, he highlighted China’s achievements over the past two decades in fostering leading tech firms, Indian companies focusing on building sustainable businesses with revenues of $100 billion, rather than chasing inflated valuations. emphasized the importance of
The Zoho CEO urged Indians to embrace self-reliance and encourage indigenous innovation. He wants businessmen and entrepreneurs to focus on creating technologies tailored to India’s unique needs, reducing dependence on foreign products and services.
He emphasized the importance of India’s talent pool to drive this transformation. “To earn true respect in the world, Indians have to develop deep capabilities in India. Accomplishments from abroad will not do,” he wrote in a post on X.
Vambu’s vision highlights the need for domestic innovation to strengthen India’s position globally, particularly in critical sectors such as technology and manufacturing.
Zoho’s CEO has consistently emphasized the importance of India learning from China’s growth model, while acknowledging the challenges involved. In June 2024, he highlighted China’s impressive achievements in research and industrial development, suggesting that India should not wait for ideal conditions to drive technological progress.
