
The Trinamool party wants the government to reverse decisions last week that would make it easier for India to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country’s retail, aviation and broadcasting industries. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and other large global retailers like France’s Carrefour, Britain’s Tesco, and Sweden’s IKEA have been pushing for the opportunity to invest in India.
Under the laws adopted last week, the retail giants would be allowed to own majority stakes in their operations in India. The government is also considering allowing foreign investors to own a 49% stake in insurance companies, substantially more than the currently permitted level of 26%.
India is trying to boost its GDP growth rate above its current 6% level, and get back to the 9% growth rate of the past few years.
Paul Ausick