Govt mulling to ease FDI in print media, construction and retail

The government is moving ahead with further opening of print media, construction and retail sectors to foreign investments, and detailed deliberations in this regard were held in the finance ministry on Wednesday. The commerce and industry ministry may soon approach the Union Cabinet to get the final approval on the proposals, sources said. According to them, the government is considering to relax foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in certain areas of print media.

Currently, government allows foreign investment in areas, such as printing of newspapers and publishing of scientific magazines with certain conditions and FDI caps. There is also a proposal to ease the policy in construction and development sector, under which an Indian company could be allowed to bring FDI even for undeveloped plots in any project. Currently, 100 per cent FDI is allowed in the construction sector subject to various conditions, reports PTI.

One of the norms is that the Indian investee company is permitted to sell only developed plots, which means plots where trunk infrastructure - roads, water supply, street lighting, drainage and sewerage, have been made available.

Sources said the government may put certain restrictions while making changes in this condition. The whole exercise is aimed at providing investor friendly climate to foreign players and in turn attract more FDI to boost economic growth and create jobs.

The government is also mulling easing policy in single brand and multibrand retail trading. There is a consideration to allow 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail sector through automatic route with certain conditions.

Currently, FDI up to 49 per cent is permitted under the automatic route but beyond that limit, government's nod is required. Further, the government is weighing the option of permitting overseas retailers to open stores for selling ‘Made in India’ products.