16/05/2014 World Business Report

will be his first visit to Chibok since the girls were taken by Boko

Haram militants last month. Those are the latest headlines from BBC

World News. Now for the latest financial news, with the World

Business Report. Top priority for the election winner: fixing India's

economy, as the country is currently going through its worst economic

crisis for two decades The conundrum of living on under $4,500 a month in

pricy Switzerland. Many say it doesn't go far enough, and are

calling for a minimum wage of $25 an hour. Welcome to World Business

Report. In a minute we'll have more on that controversial minimum wage

vote in Switzerland. But first: As we await the results of the Indian

election, people concerned about the economic slowdown are eager to find

out who will make up the next government. An indication of who is

leading should emerge shortly, with final results for all 543

constituencies are expected in a few hours. 272 seats are needed for a

clear majority. The centre`right alliance led by Narendra Modi of the

opposition BJP party is projected to do well. But fewer than 200 seats

for the BJP and its allies would oblige them to seek additional

partners to form a government. But what do voters expect from the new

leaders? Yogita Limaye visited a family in Mumbai to find out. Hello.

These are a middle`class family in Mumbai, they have been actively

following the election. Politics has been a topic passionately discussed

and hotly debated in this household. Has there ever been this

level of anticipation among ordinary citizens? I have never seen this

kind of enthusiasm. This man runs a small factory on the outskirts of

the city. The economic slowdown has hit him hard, but he expects the

next government to make it easier to do business. I definitely expect a

better return in this financial year, with this government's

policies. That is the expectation we have. His wife has faced different

struggles. We add one or two potatoes. You are the person who

runs this house, eyes the food to feed the family. Have you seen your

budgets change over the past year `` buys the food. It just touched 63

rupees per litre. So we have become miserly in spending, you could say.

She wants a government to stabilise food prices, if not ring them down

altogether. But this selection, a lot depends on how youngsters have

voted. Their son and his fiance are both under the age of 25. Both

first`time voters. I should feel proud when I say I am from India. If

it is India, India `based, it should not be looked down upon. Quality

should be assured. That depends on the image of the government. These

are pretty high expectations. So families like these will be watching

the new government closely, to see if they can fulfil the promises they

made to India's people during their election campaign. Lets get more on

this. Yogita Limaye joins me from Mumbai, and you are looking at

India's long`term potential growth. That's right, just to tell you, we

are at the stock market. Kind us, there is a crowd gathered looking at

both the market in the election result. We have heard them cheering

and clapping. Great levels of enthusiasm here in Mumbai. I don't

know if you can hear that. But with me is the head of a private equity

firm in India. Obviously we have watched the markets. How is

investment looking? It seems that BJP and Narendra Modi are leading.

They are looking at this quite positively. There have been many

challenges recently in India's investment environment, but Italy

private equity. A number of things have happened. Have turned their

attention to other markets. `` particularly private equity. The

investments they have made, much of it has not come to fruition. When

you ask them why that is, it tends to focus on the macroeconomic issues

and constraints in India, also the lack of clarity in policy`making.

The lack of clarity in issues like tax regimes, things of that nature.

What do they expect from the new government, whatever it is? It seems

like the BJP will be, and they have sold themselves as friendly to

business. Law what they would like to see, as I have said, is

significant headway on structural reforms. They would like to see the

government get more precise, and bring clarity in terms of tax

policy, in terms of FDI in different sectors, reviving investment in

India. So clarity in policy in particular. Most people hoping in

particular that whatever government comes with an outright majority so

they can take the decisions needed. Wonderful to hear that degree of

enthusiasm and excitement as people watched the market. I would like to

see that happen in London as well. Moving away from India. The people

of Switzerland are going to the polls this weekend to vote on

whether to introduce a minimum wage. Trades unions say the measure is

long overdue in such a wealthy country, but business leaders and

the Swiss government argue the amount proposed would destroy

businesses because it is far too high, at $25 an hour it would be the

world's highest, as Imogen Foulkes reports from Geneva. Thousands

demonstrating in Geneva and across Switzerland. These people are

demanding a minimum wage. Something many European countries, Britain,

France, Germany, already have. Swiss workers do not see why they should

be left out. They want a guaranteed minimum of 4000 francs, or $4500, a

month. TRANSLATION: The rent is higher, the health insurance is

expensive. Food is expensive. It is not possible to survive on less than

4000 francs a month. I am working 60 or 70 hours a week to reach that.

And even that in my opinion is barely enough. Switzerland is a very

wealthy country. But the gap between rich and poor is growing. Many

workers in big cities like Geneva or Zurich do find it hard to make ends

meet. A minimum wage of 4000 francs would be the highest in the world.

It is 18 euros or $25 an hour. Many worry that is too much, even in

Switzerland. The minimum would apply right across the country, in

low`priced rural areas as well. Business leaders say it cannot work.

I think it is an own goal for workers. Studies show that a minimum

wage can lead to unemployment and poverty, much more than it helps

people. For small companies, it would be problematic to afford such

a high salary. It is very high. 18 euros per hour. Latest opinion polls

show the quiet words of this must may persuade more voters than the

enthusiasm of the demonstrators. But even if the minimum wage is defeated

this time, the debate about fair pay in wealthy Switzerland is not going

away. Coming soon, a referendum on a guaranteed income from all Swiss,

whether they work or not. Time to check the markets. As we have heard,

India's stock market has jumped over 4%. Up to a record high on Friday.

That follows election results indicating Narendra Modi will become

the next Prime Minister. As we hear it, people in Mumbai cheering as

PCBs numbers. The view across the rest of Asia shows a downturn,

following the news from Wall Street. You are watching BBC News.