The Government of India is seeking to further simplify the foreign investment regime, by releasing a revised consolidated FDI policy guidelines. The changes include investments in sectors like single and multi-brand retail, power exchanges, asset reconstruction companies (ARCs), broadcasting, civil aviation, and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). The following is the extract from the new guidelines.
The Chapter 1:Intent and Objective
1.1 Intent and Objective
1.1.1 It is the intent and objective of the Government of India to attract and promote foreign direct investment in order to supplement domestic capital, technology and skills, for accelerated economic growth. Foreign Direct Investment, as distinguished from portfolio investment, has the connotation of establishing a lasting interest in an enterprise that is resident in an economy other than that of the investor.
1.1.2 The Government has put in place a policy framework on Foreign Direct Investment, whichis transparent, predictable and easily comprehensible. This framework is embodied in the Circular on Consolidated FDI Policy, which may be updated every year, to capture and keep pace with the regulatory changes, effected in the interregnum. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India makes policy pronouncements on FDI through Press Notes/ Press Releases which are notified by the Reserve Bank of India as amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of Security by Persons Resident Outside India) Regulations, 2000 (notification No.FEMA 20/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000). These notifications take effect from the date of issue of Press Notes/ Press Releases, unless specified otherwise therein. In case of any conflict, the relevant FEMA Notification will prevail. The procedural instructions are issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide A.P. Dir. (series) Circulars. The regulatory framework, over a period of time, thus, consists of Acts, Regulations, Press Notes, Press Releases, Clarifications, etc.
1.1.3 The present consolidation subsumes and supersedes all Press Notes/Press Releases/Clarifications/ Circulars issued by DIPP, which were in force as on April 4, 2013 and reflects the FDI Policy as on April 5 2013. This Circular accordingly will take effect from April 5, 2013. Reference to any statute or legislation made in this Circular shall include modifications, amendments or re-enactments thereof.
1.1.4 Notwithstanding the rescission of earlier Press Notes/Press Releases/Clarifications/Circulars, anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken under the rescinded Press Notes/Press Releases/Clarifications/Circulars prior to April 5, 2013, shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with those Press Notes/Press Releases/Clarifications/Circulars, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this circular and shall be valid and effective.
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The entire document on revised FDI policy is available for download
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