Foreign Investment Norms Eased For Single Brand Retail, Digital Media

In order to attract higher foreign direct investment (FDI) and to improve ease of doing business in the country, Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday eased FDI norms for coal mining, digital media, contract manufacturing and single brand retail sectors. Addressing a press conference on cabinet decisions, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, "To encourage investment in the country many steps have been taken and from 2014-19 India attracted foreign direct investment of $286 billion."

The government approved 100 per cent FDI in coal mining sector including coal washing, sales, crushing etc. through automatic route. FDI norms for contract manufacturing sector has also been relaxed as the government allowed 100 per cent FDI via automatic route in the sector, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters at a press conference in New Delhi.

The government also announced FDI in digital media wherein foreign investors can buy 26 per cent stake with its approval.

Meanwhile, in order to further give a push to the single brand retail, the centre eased mandatory 30 per cent local sourcing norms for single brand retailers.

The cabinet has expanded the definition of mandatory 30 per cent domestic sourcing norm. It also allowed single brand retailers to start online sales, waiving the previous condition of setting up a mandatory brick-and-mortar store, Mr Goyal said while addressing the press briefing.

“It has been decided that all procurements made from India by the single brand retail trading entity for that single brand shall be counted towards local sourcing, irrespective of whether the good procured are sold in India or exported,” Mr Goyal added.

In a separate cabinet decision, the government also approved export subsidy of Rs 6,268 crore for farmers for exporting 60 lakh metric tonne of sugarcane.