FDI in services sector jumps to USD 5.28 bn during Apr-Sep

With government taking steps to improve the ease of doing business and attracting foreign investments, FDI inflows into the services sector jumped by over two and a half times to USD 5.28 billion in the April-September period of the current fiscal.

The sector, which includes banking, insurance, outsourcing, R&D, courier and technology testing, had received foreign direct investment (FDI) worth USD 1.46 billion during April-September 2015, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

The government has taken several measures such as fixing timeliness for approvals and streamlining procedures to improve ease of doing business in the country and to attract domestic and foreign investments.

With growth in FDI in important sector like services, overall foreign inflows in the country rose by 30 percent to USD 21.62 billion during the first half of 2016-17.

The services sector contributes over 60 percent to India's GDP. In 2015-16, foreign investment in services had increased to USD 6.89 billion from USD 4.44 billion in 2014- 15.

FDI in the sector accounts for 18 percent of the country's total foreign investment inflows.

The government is focusing on enhancing services exports.

It is organising global services exhibition besides the commerce ministry has worked out a proposal to relax norms in the sector, including higher education to attract foreign players.

The other sectors where inflows have recorded growth are: telecom (USD 2.78 billion), trading (USD 1.48 billion), computer hardware and software (USD 1.03 billion) and automobile (USD 729 million) during April-September 2016-17.

Foreign investments are considered crucial for India, which needs around USD 1 trillion for overhauling its infrastructure sector such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth.

A strong inflow of foreign investments will help improve the country's balance of payments situation and strengthen the rupee value against other global currencies, especially the US dollar.