FDI rises 25 per cent to six-month high of $2.32 billion in April

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India increased 25 per cent year-on-year to $2.32 billion in April, the highest level in the past six months.

In April 2012, the country had received FDI worth $1.85 billion, according to data from the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). In September, 2012, foreign inflows were $4.67 billion.

The sectors that received large FDI inflows during the month include hotel and tourism ($2.32 billion), pharmaceuticals ($987 million), services ($238 million), chemicals ($51 million) and construction ($32 million), according to the data.

Most FDI during the month came from Singapore ($1.29 billion), followed by Mauritius ($355 million), the Netherlands ($173 million) and the US ($149 million).

According to an official, steps taken by the government are helping to boost FDI flows. Since September, several reform initiatives have been taken, including liberalising FDI norms in civil aviation, retail and power exchanges.

FDI inflows in 2012-13 aggregated $22.42 billion, a decline from $36.50 billion in 2011-12.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Finance Minister P Chidambaram travelled to the US in the past week to pitch for investments.

Following the decisions taken in September, the government is also expected to further liberalise the FDI regime in sectors such as telecom and defence.

The Finance Ministry has proposed changes in FDI caps for sectors, including tea, media, petroleum and natural gas.

India needs about $1 trillion from 2012-13 to 2016-17 to fund infrastructure such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth.

An increase in FDI will help support the rupee, which depreciated to a record low of 61.21 against the US dollar on July 8.