Govt seeks to move fast on easing FDI policy for multi-brand retail

Currently, FDI in multi brand retail trading is permitted subject to a range of stipulations

With elections in five key states over, the government will be looking to move fast on further easing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms in the country which may also include the contentious multi brand retail segment. Inter-ministerial discussions are ongoing, a Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) official said under conditions of anonymity.

A media report on Tuesday, suggested that the government was looking at the option of a limited opening up of the sector. This would be done by, it said, allowing food retailers to generate around 20-25 per cent of their sales from non-food items such as