India: Investing

FDI in Figures

According to UNCTAD's 2022 World Investment Report, after reaching an all-time high in 2020, FDI inflows decreased from USD 64 billion to USD 44 billion in 2021. However, the stock of FDI increased in 2021, reaching USD 514 billion. India ranks 5th among the top 20 FDI host economies and the largest host in the sub-region; the country historically accounts for 70-80% of inflows into the region. Overall, M&A declined in 2021. However, 108 new international project finance deals were announced in the country: a significant increased when compared to the 20- project average for the last decade. The largest number of projects was in renewables, with other significant investments made in the construction and manufacturing industries. Notable projects include a USD 13.5 billion steel and cement plant by Japanese company, Arcelormittal Nippon Steel, and the construction of a new car manufacturing facility by Suzuki Motor,  for USD 2.4 billion.
During the past couple of years, India has relaxed administrative regulations for foreign investors in some industrial sectors by abolishing the requirement for approval by the Reserve Bank of India under certain conditions. The overall growth of FDI in India is thanks to its many assets, especially its high degree of specialisation in services, with a skilled, English-speaking and inexpensive labour force and a potential market of one billion inhabitants. Mauritius, Singapore, the U.S., the Netherlands, Japan, the U.K., Germany, and the United Arab Emirates are the main investing countries in India. Investments were mainly oriented towards services, computer software and hardware, telecommunications, trade, the automobile industry, construction, and chemicals.

According to the Economist Business Environment, India ranks 64 out of the 82 countries reviewed for their investment climate. The country has conducted a remarkable reform effort, and given the size of the country's economy, these reform efforts are particularly commendable. Since the implementation of these reforms, more than 2,000 companies have used  the new law. Global investors typically focus on India mainly because of its demographics, but also for its stable barometers, whether it be inflation, fiscal deficit or growth. However, the country still has several restrictive laws on foreign investment, excessive bureaucracy, and high levels of corruption. Still, given India’s growing demographics, and huge e-commerce and technological markets, activity in both areas are expected to grow in the following years. Among the biggest investments that occurred in recent years is the merger Sony Pictures Networks India, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., and Zee Entertainment Enterprises for USD 1.575 billion.

What to consider if you invest in India

Protection of Foreign Investment

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment

Guaranteed, with some exceptions.

Acquisition of Holdings

Foreign ownership of Indian companies is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) Rules 2019 (Foreign Investment Regulations). The government has gradually liberalised the foreign investment provisions. The current Foreign Investment Regulations allow 100% foreign investment in most sectors open to private investment in India (Automatic route). However, there are certain areas that require prior government approval before a foreign investment can be made, or where less than 100% foreign ownership is permitted (Government route).

Obligation to Declare

Mergers and acquisitions are generally governed by the Companies Act, 1956 and the sector-specific law.

Competent Organisation For the Declaration

Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion

Requests For Specific Authorisations

Some foreign investments may require prior government approval (government route) such as FDI in defense sector (subject to security clearance and guidelines of the Ministry of Defence), print media sector, security agencies, telecom services sector (subject to the licensing and security conditions as specified from time to time by the Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communications), multi-brand retail trading sector, brownfield pharmaceuticals sector.

Office Real Estate and Land Ownership

Possible Temporary Solutions

Offices, showrooms, warehouses, industrial premises. Visit the websites of Eay Offices and WeWork for further information.

The Possibility of Buying Land and Industrial and Commercial Buildings

There are certain restrictions on foreign ownership or occupation of real estate in India. For more information, click here.

Risk of Expropriation

There have been few instances of direct expropriation since the 1970s. India has concluded multiple BITs with various countries. These BITs contain reciprocal protections for the purpose of encouraging, promoting and protecting investments in each other's territory by the companies based in either country.

Investment Aid

Forms of Aid

Several measures and incentives, to attract investments into the country: Tax holiday, tax concessions, and import of capital goods at concessional customs duty, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), bilateral investment protection agreements with investing countries; etc.

Privileged Domains

Power, ports, highways, electronics and software, scientific R&D, manufacturing of energy-saving, environmental-protection and pollution-control equipment.

Privileged Geographical Zones

Special economic zones (SEZs) in India are areas that offer incentives to resident businesses. SEZs typically offer competitive infrastructure, duty free exports, tax incentives, and other measures designed to make it easier to conduct business. Companies located in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) can benefit from an income tax exemption for ten years (100% exemption for the first five years and 50% for the following five years) on profits from exports in the year in which the business unit starts production or starts operations.

Free-trade zones

Consult the list of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in India.

Public aid and funding organisations

Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI)
Power Finance Corporation Limited
Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
Export-Import Bank of India
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd.
Asian Development Bank
The World Bank
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
International finance Corporation

Investment Opportunities

The Key Sectors of the National Economy

There are 12 champion sectors: modular furniture, toys, food processing like ready-to-eat food, agro-chemicals, textiles like man-made fibres, air conditioners, capital goods, pharma and auto components
The services sector is by far the most dynamic in India. It accounts for 48.9% of GDP. India is the fourth largest agricultural power in the world. Agriculture accounts for 18.3% of GDP and employs 43% of the active population (World Bank). The country is also the fourth largest coal producer in the world. In the manufacturing industry, textiles play a predominant role. The chemical industry is the second largest industrial sector and contributes 3% to global chemical industry. Finally, the sectors of new technologies (software) and telecommunications are booming. India is the world’s largest BPM destination, which represent 8% of India’s GDP (Invest India).

For more information, visit Invest India.

High Potential Sectors

Airport services, ground handling, computers and devices, educational services, electrical power, transmission equipment, food processing, machine tools, medical equipment, equipment for mining and mineral processing, machinery for oil and gas fields, pollution control equipment, security, telecommunications equipment, textile machinery, water, renewable energy, urban infrastructure and services (access to water, waste treatment), electricity, cosmetics, and luxury goods.

Privatization Programmes

India has been privatising its large, mostly non-profitable public sector: telecommunications, public infrastructure, airways, ports, etc.

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement

Tenders Info, Tenders in India
Asian Development Bank, Procurement Plans in Asia
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide

Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer

Monopolistic Sectors

The government exercise control through sector-specific restrictions on foreign investments in sensitive sectors, such as defence and media, but also railways, power generation & distribution (though it is being slowly privatised now), life and medical insurance (though it is also slowly opening up), manufacturing of arms, explosives, atomic energy and aerospace.

Moreover, foreign investment in India is prohibited for the following sectors or activities: lottery businesses, gambling and betting, chit funds, nidhi companies, trading in transferable development rights, real estate business or the construction of farm houses, manufacturing of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes, of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes, activities or sectors that are not open to private sector investment, such as atomic energy and railway operations, foreign technology collaboration in any form, including licensing for franchises, trade marks and brand names. Management contracts are also prohibited for lottery businesses and gambling and betting activities.

Finding Assistance For Further Information

Investment Aid Agency

INVEST INDIA (National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency)
Foreign Investment Facilitation Portal (Ministry of Commerce and Industry)
Department for Promotion of Industry and International Trade

Other Useful Resources

India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF)
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Doing Business Guides

India Country Commercial Guide (The U.S. Department of Commerce)
A Guide to Doing Business in India (RSM)
Doing Business in India Report (UK India Business Council)
India Tax Guide, Deloitte
Doing business in India - UHY

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