FDI inflows jump 50% during Jan-Aug

Despite the uncertain economic environment globally, FDI in India surged 50per cent to $20.76 billion from January-August, according to the industryministry's latest data.

During January-August 2010, the country attracted FDI worth $13.85billion.

Experts maintain that the government should furtherstreamline policies and make the environment more conducive to Foreign DirectInvestment (FDI).

The sectors that attracted maximum FDI during the firsteight months this year include services (financial and non-financial), telecom,housing and real estate, construction and power, the industry ministry datashowed.

Mauritius,Singapore, the US, the UK,the Netherlands, Japan, Germanyand the UAE, among other countries, are the major investors in India.

FDI inflows into India totalled $19.42 billion in2010-11 financial year, down from $25.83 billion in 2009-10.

Recently, the government further liberalised the FDI regime,allowing overseas investment in bee-keeping and share-pledging for raisingexternal debt.

Besides, the conditions for FDI in construction of old-agehomes and educational institutions have been eased.

These will not be subject to the minimum and built-up area,capitalisation and lock-in period norms as applicable for the constructionactivities.