With hiring activities in most Western economies in deep freeze, more and more foreigners,

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mostly from the US and Europe, are looking at India for jobs, a trend that has resulted in an up to 20% jump in expat hiring this year, according to headhunters.

According to industry estimates, there are as many as 40,000 expats working in various industries across the country today.

"Hiring of expats has picked up by 15-20% at all levels since last year, mainly on account of India being one of the fastest growing economies, offering huge job opportunities," recruitment process outsourcing firm Elixir's Consulting Manager for International Practices, Ratnesh Kumar, told PTI here.

An increasing number of expats are seeking jobs in the country on account of job cuts in their home countries, coupled with rising outsourcing and high taxes, he said, adding that this was happening more in the US and Europe.

The Indian experience also adds value to the expats' resume, reflecting an individual's ability to adapt and deal with diversity, he explained.

These professionals are mainly being hired in the banking and financial services, automobile, pharma and retail sectors, apart from areas where the domestic industry does not have competencies, like alternative energy, the complex infrastructural sector, etc, he said.

"While CXOs are generally offered around $2,50,000 per annum, mid-manager level employees get $80,000-1,25,000 per annum," he said.

The number of foreigners seeking jobs in the country are no longer limited to the middle and senior levels, but is spreading over to beginners as well, he said, adding that at present, there were around 40,000 expats working in the country and the number was still growing.