FDI inflows rise sharply in first quarter
Direct investment grows $7.2 b, helped by investment in equities
MUMBAI, SEPT. 30:
The net direct investment into India increased significantly by $7.2 billion during the April to June 2011 period, against $2.9 billion in the corresponding quarter last year, according to the Reserve Bank of India's balance of payments data, released on Friday.
INVESTMENT
Direct investment into India during the first quarter was to the tune of $12.9 billion ($6.1 billion in the corresponding quarter last year). This included investment in equities, which increased to $9.4 billion from $3.7 billion last year. Direct investment by India increased by $5.7 billion in the reporting period, against $3.2 billion in the year-ago period.
However, portfolio investment in India was lower at $2.5 billion against $3.5 billion.
LOANS
The net loans availed by banks was higher at $11.5 billion compared with $2.9 billion in Q1 of 2010-11, due mainly to the drawdown of their foreign currency assets held abroad as well as a rise in overseas borrowings, said the RBI.
The net loans availed by the non-Government and non-banking sectors (net ECBs) stood higher at $2.9 billion compared with $2.3 billion.
Net inflows under short-term trade credit moderated to $3.1 billion in Q1 of 2011-12, as compared to $4.3 billion in Q1 of 2010-11.
There was a net accretion in foreign exchange reserves to the extent of $5.4 billion during Q1 of 2011-12. In nominal terms (i.e. including valuation changes), foreign exchange reserves increased by $10.9 billion during the quarter, reflecting the depreciation of the US dollar against major international currencies during the quarter.
A rise in the trade deficit, despite a sharper increase in exports than imports and an increase in net export of services, led to the widening of the current-account deficit (CAD) as compared with Q1 of the previous year, said RBI.
On a Balance of Payments basis, goods exports recorded a growth of 47.1 per cent (40.4 per cent), while imports registered a growth of 33.2 per cent during Q1 of 2011-12, which was the same as last year.
The trade deficit on BoP basis, in absolute terms, amounted to $35.4 billion, against $32.3 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.
Consequently, the CAD was at $14.1 billion during the first quarter, against $12 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.
Business Line : Industry & Economy / Banking : FDI inflows rise sharply in first quarter
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Centre liberalises FDI norms further
Moving further with liberalisation of the foreign direct investment (FDI) regime, the government on Friday allowed overseas investment in bee-keeping, share-pledging for raising external debt and notified the revised FDI limit on FM radio at 26 per cent against the earlier 20 per cent. Similarly, conditions for FDI in respect of construction of old-age homes and educational institutions have been eased. These will not be subject to minimum and built-up area, capitalisation and lock-in period norms as applicable for the construction activities, according to an official statement issued here.
The hike in FDI cap in FM radio from 20 to 26 per cent, as approved by the Cabinet in July, has been notified. For giving a boost to bio-technology, pharmaceutical and life sciences, research and development in these sectors would be covered under the ‘industrial parks' scheme, where 100 per cent FDI is permitted under the automatic route.
Widening options for raising overseas resources, the policy has been amended to provide for pledge of shares of an Indian company which has raised ECBs, the statement said. The policy provides for opening and maintaining, without RBI approval, non-interest bearing rupee escrow accounts by non-residents towards payment of share purchase consideration. This has been done to facilitate FDI, it said. Procedure for conversion of imported capital goods and machinery and pre-operative expenses into equity has also been made easier. About opening honey bee-keeping to FDI, it said the liberalisation will bring in international best practices to upgrade the product. The measure will help food firms, engaged in honey-processing.
India received FDI inflows of $14.54 billion during April-July this fiscal, showing a jump of 92 per cent despite global economic uncertainties.
AGRICULTURE SECTOR
PTI reports:
To attract foreign investment in the agriculture sector, the government today allowed 100 per cent FDI in beekeeping, also known as ‘apiculture'
“FDI has been allowed up to 100 per cent under the automatic route in apiculture under controlled conditions,” according to the revised Consolidated FDI Policy of 2011, released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
The DIPP has imposed certain conditions to companies keen on taking the 100 per cent FDI route in beekeeping.
Companies can undertake “production of honey by beekeeping, except in forest/wild, in designated spaces with control of temperatures and climatic factors like humidity and artificial feeding during lean seasons,” the policy paper said.
The government is bringing more farm areas under the 100 per cent FDI route to encourage investment in the sector.
It has already permitted 100 per cent FDI in agricultural areas such as plantation, horticulture, seeds and cultivation of vegetables and mushrooms.
The Hindu : Business / Industry : Centre liberalises FDI norms further
