A survey conducted by World Economic Forum has praised India's efforts in becoming more competitive in the global market and improving its over all economy.

The survey was conducted in the run-up to the 19^th India Economic Summit that begins in New Delhi on Sunday.

To be inaugurated by Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, the three-day summit will have about 400 delegates from 20 countries.

The meet is being jointly organised by CII and WEF with the help of the Indian government.

The survey says that India's competitiveness has increased over the last two years and it will retain its leading position in software development and IT-enabled services.

The WEF had sent the questionnaire to 100 reputed companies in India and overseas seeking their views on India's economic growth and factors affecting it.

The survey released on Thursday had responses from 50 firms, including multinational companies. The rest of the responses have yet to be received by the forum.

Colette Mathur, director, India and South Asia, WEF, and Sunil Kant Munjal, vice president, Confederation of Indian Industry announced the findings of the survey at a news conference.

CII, however, was not involved in conducting the survey. All the respondents were participants of the India Economic Summit.

Mathur said: "India is going in right direction. There are some areas that need more attention and speed. The survey is a useful indicator of what people think about India."

Although the survey recognises India as an emerging global economic power, it says the country will not take full advantage of technology to ensure education for all.

It also gave 'zero' marks for India's poor approach in fighting the spread of HIV-AIDS in the country.

Here is how the respondents answered the questions posed to them:

1. Do you think India's competitiveness has increased over the last two years?

100 per cent said Yes.

2. Will India retain its leading position in software development and IT-enabled services?

100 per cent said Yes.

3. At Cancun, did India represent the growing power of the emerging economies?

84.6 per cent said Yes. 15.4 per cent said No.

4. Is 'Made in India' likely to become a brand you would like to be associated with?

76.8 per cent said Yes. 23.2 per cent said No.

5. Will India become a major player in world affairs?

76.8 per cent say yes, 23.2 per cent say no.

6. Does India really need high levels of foreign direct investment for its economic growth?

53.8 per cent said Yes. 46.2 per cent said No.

7. Will India achieve 7 per cent or more GDP growth rate this year?

46 per cent said Yes. 54 per cent said No.

8. Will India become one of the granaries of the world?

38.4 per cent said Yes. 61.6 per cent said No.

9. Will India move ahead from provider to innovator in IT and R&D?

38.4 per cent said Yes. 61.6 per cent said No.

10. Will India overcome its power crisis (electricity) in next five years?

23 per cent said Yes. 77 per cent said No.

11. Will India be able to sustain high economic growth despite slow infrastructure development in the past years?

15.3 per cent said Yes. 84.7 per cent said No.

12. Is India doing enough to control the spread of AIDS?

100 per cent said No.

13. Will India take full advantage of technology to ensure education for all?

100 per cent said No.

On the question of privatisation, all respondents felt that the Indian government should re-launch its privatisation programme in the oil sector.