Walmart has spent $25 mn since 2008 on lobbying, including for business in India

Walmart Inc - the global retail giant waiting for years to open its supermarkets in India - has been lobbying with the US lawmakers since 2008 to facilitate its entry into the highly lucrative market .

The companies are allowed to lobby for their cases in various departments and agencies in the US, but they are required to file their lobbying disclosure reports every quarter with the US Senate.

According to the reports filed by Walmart with the US Senate, the company has spent close to $25 million (about Rs 125 crore) since 2008 on its various lobbying activities, including on issues related to enhanced market access for investment in India.

The US-based supermarket chain operator Walmart Stores, which has an annual turnover of $444 billion and a worldwide headcount of 2.2 million, has been eyeing for a long time to enter India.

The Indian government recently opened up its multi-brand retail sector to foreign companies after years of political opposition and a Parliament motion against this decision was defeated last week in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

In the last quarter ended September 30 itself, the company spent $1.65 million (about Rs 10 crore) on various lobbying issues, which included discussions related to FDI in India.

During the quarter, Walmart lobbied for its case with the US Senate, the US House of Representatives, the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the US Department of State, according to its latest quarterly disclosure report.

So far in 2012, Walmart has spent more than $3 million, or about Rs 18 crore, on its various lobbying activities, including those related to India.

with inputs from PTI