FDI inflow increases by only 0.27% to $36 bn during Apr-Dec 2017

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country grew by a meagre 0.27 per cent to $35.94 billion during the first 9 months of the current fiscal, according to the DIPP data. The FDI inflows were $35.84 billion during the April-December period of last fiscal, 2016-17. In rupee terms, however, the FDI recorded a negative growth -- inflows dipped by 4 per cent to Rs 2.31 trillion, as per the data the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. The major sectors which attracted overseas inflows during the period include services ($4.62 billion), telecommunications ($6.13 billion), computer software and hardware ($5.15 billion) and construction activities ($2.5 billion). Bulk of the FDI came in from Singapore, Mauritius, the Netherlands and Japan. In the nine months period of the current financial year, India received a maximum of $13.34 investments from Mauritius. It was followed by Singapore (9.21 billion) and Netherlands ($2.38 billion). Foreign investments are considered crucial for India, which needs around $1 trillion for overhauling its infrastructure sector such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth. A strong inflow of foreign investments will help improve the country's balance of payments situation and strengthen the rupee value against other global currencies, especially the US dollar. The DIPP is under the commerce and industry ministry which deals with FDI related issues.