fdi in india and its growth linkages - Department Of Industrial Policy ...
fdi in india and its growth linkages - Department Of Industrial Policy ...
fdi in india and its growth linkages - Department Of Industrial Policy ...
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FDI IN INDIA AND ITS GROWTH LINKAGES<br />
2.2 FDI <strong>Policy</strong> Framework<br />
Prior to 1991, the FDI policy framework <strong>in</strong> India was highly regulated. The government aimed at exercis<strong>in</strong>g control over<br />
foreign exchange transactions. All deal<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> foreign exchange were regulated under the Foreign Exchange Regulation<br />
Act (FERA), 1973, the violation of which was a crim<strong>in</strong>al offence. Through this Act, the government tried to conserve<br />
foreign exchange resources for the economic development of the nation. Consequently the <strong>in</strong>vestment process was<br />
plagued with many hurdles <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g unethical practices that became part of bureaucratic procedures. Under the<br />
deregulated regime, FERA was consolidated <strong>and</strong> amended to <strong>in</strong>troduce the Foreign Exchange Management Act<br />
(FEMA), 1999. The new Act was less str<strong>in</strong>gent <strong>and</strong> aimed at improv<strong>in</strong>g the capital account management of foreign<br />
exchange <strong>in</strong> India. The Act sought to facilitate external trade <strong>and</strong> payments <strong>and</strong> to promote orderly development <strong>and</strong><br />
ma<strong>in</strong>tenance of the foreign exchange market <strong>in</strong> India. It resulted <strong>in</strong> improved access to foreign exchange.<br />
FDI-related Institutions<br />
There are three primary <strong>in</strong>stitutions <strong>in</strong> India that h<strong>and</strong>le FDI-related issues: the Foreign Investment Promotion Board<br />
(FIPB), the Secretariat for <strong>Industrial</strong> Assistance (SIA), <strong>and</strong> Foreign Investment Implementation Authority (FIIA).<br />
Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB)<br />
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), <strong>Department</strong> of Economic Affairs (DEA), M<strong>in</strong>istry of F<strong>in</strong>ance is the<br />
nodal s<strong>in</strong>gle-w<strong>in</strong>dow agency for all matters relat<strong>in</strong>g to FDI as well as promot<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> the country. It is chaired<br />
by the Secretary, Industry (<strong>Department</strong> of <strong>Industrial</strong> Promotion <strong>and</strong> <strong>Policy</strong>). Its objective is to promote FDI <strong>in</strong> India:<br />
i) by undertak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>vestment promotion activities <strong>in</strong> India <strong>and</strong> abroad;<br />
ii) by facilitat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> the country by <strong>in</strong>ternational companies, non-resident Indians <strong>and</strong> other foreign<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestors;<br />
iii) through purposeful negotiations/discussions with potential <strong>in</strong>vestors;<br />
iv) through early clearance of proposals submitted to it; <strong>and</strong><br />
v) by review<strong>in</strong>g policies <strong>and</strong> putt<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> place appropriate <strong>in</strong>stitutional arrangements, transparent rules <strong>and</strong> procedures<br />
<strong>and</strong> guidel<strong>in</strong>es for <strong>in</strong>vestment promotion <strong>and</strong> approvals.<br />
10<br />
Figure 2.1<br />
FDI <strong>in</strong>flows: Global Trends (1999-2007)<br />
Source: UNCTAD (various years), World Investment Report.