Nirmala Sitharaman
MOS (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
NIRMALA SITHARAMAN CAN AFFORD a smile nowadays. For, in 2016, India outclassed China after many years as the world’s FDI leader, bringing in $63 billion to China’s $56 billion giving a major push to the Make in India campaign that comes under her ministry. The country hasn’t sustained the initial momentum, though, as a slew of factors, including a caution on investments as global demand slowed and India’s inability to fix its ease of doing business parameters, played spoilsport, leading to mixed results.
The export turnaround has come as a breather. After a two-year low, Indian exports registered a spurt in the fourth quarter, touching $274.65 billion in 2016-17. Manufacturing too has inched up. Sitharaman has been able to facilitate a few investments into the country, as well as help with Start Up India. Her ministry is also now ranking the states on ease of doing business. The boards for spices, tea, coffee and rubber have been reactivated.