Government Approves Amazon’s Proposal For FDI In Food
Amazon will open a wholly owned subsidiary in India to carry out the business.
- The government approves Amazon’s proposed $500 million investment in retailing of food products in India.
- As per the proposal, the company will open a wholly owned subsidiary in India.
- Amazon has proposed to invest around USD 500 million in the retail of food products.
The government has approved American e-commerce major Amazon's proposed $500 million investment in retailing of food products in India, an official said.
The proposal was pending before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) which has now been abolished. Hence, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) gave its green signal to the proposal.
As per the proposal, the company will open a wholly owned subsidiary in India to carry out the business. It will stock food products and sell online.
Currently, the government permits 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the food processing sector. As per norms, a foreign company can open a wholly owned subsidiary in India to retail food products produced and or manufactured in the country by way of opening stores or online.
The government had received investment proposals from three companies – Amazon, Grofers and BigBasket – worth $695 million for retail of food products. While U.S.-based retail giant Amazon is one of the major e-commerce players in India, Grofers and BigBasket are into online grocery space.
The government last year allowed 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) through approval route for trading, including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured and produced in India.
In 2016-17 (April-December), the food processing sector in the country received FDI of $663.23 million.
The Union Cabinet last month decided to wind up the 25- year-old FIPB, which had been vetting FDI proposals requiring government approval, to expedite the clearance process.