Presence of US, Singaporean cos in India declined in 2011-12

The count of American and Singaporean companies registered in India declined marginally last fiscal, although the overall number of foreign firms in the country rose to 3,191.

Companies from the United States and Singapore make up the major chunk of overseas businesses operating in India. The firms from these two countries alone accounted for 749 entities registered here at the end of March 2012.

Companies from these two nations registered in India had touched 761 during 2010-11 fiscal.

There were 444 American and 305 Singaporean companies operating in India 2011-12, according to the latest data from the Corporate Affairs Ministry.

In 2010-11, the count was 448 American companies and 313 Singaporean firms.

Meanwhile, reflecting the rising business interest in India, the number of registered foreign companies in India climbed to 3,191 in the last financial year.

The total count stood at 3,127 at the end of March 2011.

Among the top 10 nations, maximum number of companies registered in India are from the US, followed by Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany.

As per data till March 31, 2012, the count of UK companies touched 255 while that from Japan and Germany stood at 200 and 142, respectively.

These nations are followed by companies from Hong Kong (103), France (88), Republic of Korea (100), Australia (64) and the Netherlands (60).

There were about 38 Chinese companies registered at the end of March 2012.

Going by the Companies Act, foreign companies are those which are incorporated outside India but have established a place of business within the country.