SME Times News Bureau | 11 Jan, 2018
India Inc on
Wednesday hailed the amendments in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy
that aims to promote foreign capital inflow in sectors like single brand
retail, civil aviation and construction.
As per the Union cabinet's decision, changes to FDI policy will attract foreign
investments and create employment.
"The relaxations in FDI policy announced by the Cabinet today are most
welcome and would certainly lead to further increase in foreign investment
inflows," said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation
of Indian Industry.
"Today's announcement includes multiple measures targeted at specific
sectors where opportunities exists," said Banerjee.
EY India's Executive Director, Tax and Economic Policy Group Dev Raj Singh
said: "In line with the intent of ease of doing business and with a view
to attract larger FDI inflows, the Government has further liberalised the FDI
Policy in various sectors like single brand retail trading, construction
development and civil aviation."
On sector-specific basis, 100 per cent foreign investment has been allowed in
single brand retail trading and construction development, while national
carrier Air India was opened up for FDI participation.
Besides, the government also decided that foreign institution investors and
portfolio investors be allowed to invest in power exchanges through primary
market and amended the definition of "medical devices" in its FDI
policy.
Subsequently, the new FDI norms related to single brand retail drew mixed
reactions with some industry observers lauding the move while traders' bodies
opposed it as "a serious matter for small businesses".
"This is another positive step from the government towards ease of doing
business in India. By allowing 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail under
the automatic route, foreign entrants will find it easier to set up operations
in the country," said Dhanraj Bhagat, Partner, Grant Thornton India LLP.
However, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) strongly condemned the
government's decision stating that the step will affect smaller businesses by
paving way for the foreign brands to dominate the country's retail trade.
"The CAIT strongly opposes the move to allow 100 per cent FDI in single
brand retail through automatic route as it will facilitate easy entry of
multinational corporations in retail trade of India and will also violate poll
promise of BJP," the traders' body said in a statement.
"It's a serious matter for small businesses. It is a pity that instead of
formulating policies for the welfare, upgradation and modernisation of existing
retail trade, the government is more interested in paving way for the MNCs to
control and dominate the retail trade of India," it added.
Rajat Wahi, Partner, Deloitte India, said: "Global brands across different
categories, from apparel to electronics to accessories will be aided through
this, providing further options to Indian consumers and improving India's
ranking in ease of doing business."
On the decision to open up Air India for FDI up to 49 per cent, independent
aviation expert Amrit Pandurangi said: "Air India is not an easy
transaction... so 49 per cent is good, but may not be good enough to make it
attractive. They need to first sort out a number of issues on Air India's financial
debt, people-related issues."
In addition, Cabinet's decision to allow 100 per cent FDI in construction
development related to building townships, housing, infrastructure and real
estate broking services was welcomed by the industry.
"FDI in construction is expected to provide a significant boost to the
real estate sector," said Ashwin Sheth, Chairman and Managing Director,
Sheth Group.
"The Government's ambitious projects like 'Housing For All By 2022' and
'Construction of 100 Smart Cities' will now flourish owing to the substantial
participation by the foreign investors," Sheth added.
According to Abhishek Goenka, Leader, Direct Tax, PwC India, the clarification
that brokerage services are not real estate business, and hence, eligible for
100 per cent FDI under the automatic route was long overdue.
"The industry was saddled with differing views and interpretations on this
count, and this should now ease the pain for existing international players, as
well as provide clarity for future joint ventures and wholly owned presence in
India," Goenka said.