On average (since 2000-01), about 14 per cent of sales of Indian firms is now exported and this proportion continues to grow, as compared with 7 per cent in 1991-92. Consequently, the continued high growth of the Indian economy would get strengthened if the efficiency of Indian cities improves.
It is noteworthy that those cities that have shown great economic vigor over the last decade in India, such as Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Chandigarh exhibit certain common characteristics. They have an unusually large endowment of educational institutions at all levels, and research institutions.