NEW DELHI, Oct 24: Government is trying to address specific lingering policy issues in various sectors despite easing of foreign direct investment (FDI) norms, a top official said here today.
“We are also trying to address very specific policy issues in various sectors. We have identified a number of them that remain despite liberalisation in FDI (policy). There could be issues in various sectors,” Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Secretary Ramesh Abhishek said while addressing India-Japan Business Co-operation Committee.
“There are so many other issues on infrastructure, taxation… We are taking up all this. Some of them are being resolved.”
The Government earlier this year approved changes in the FDI regime. The reforms included allowing 100 per cent inflow in civil aviation and food processing sectors while easing norms in defence and pharmaceuticals.
It also permitted 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route in several wings of the broadcasting carriage services, which include teleports, direct-to-home, cable networks, mobile TV and headend-in-the sky broadcasting service.
“We are aware that business climate had not been the best possible earlier, but now there is tremendous stress and thrust on improving it,” Abhishek said.
“In the last two years, the Government has tried to create a very business-friendly climate. Ease of doing business is a very critical part of Make in India.”
He gave an assurance that efforts to constantly improve the business climate and infrastructure will continue and the results will be visible.
“We don’t make promises and not implement them. Projects are being monitored at the highest level for timely implementation,” the DIPP secretary disclosed.
Asserting that implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) will be a gamechanger for the country, Abhishek said the Government is determined to implement the reform next year and all necessary steps are being taken in that direction.
He observed that the impact of GST on Make in India will be “absolutely staggering” due to the level-playing field it will provide to our manufacturers.
“Cost of domestic manufacturers and those manufacturing in India will come down and movement of goods and services across states will also be much easier,” the secretary said further.
“… Removal of cascading effect of taxes, online payments and compliance are going to reduce the burden on the businesses, particularly MSMEs.”
Abhishek spoke about will and determination on the part of the government to see that Japanese investments in India double but that requires “deeper strategic interaction and problem solving”.
He expressed confidence that the two Asian economies shall work hard to realise the “fantastic potential” that exists in investments and trade between them.
Noting that India ranked number one in the survey on most favoured destination for Japanese investments conducted by Japan Bank for International Cooperation, he said it shows the kind of inclination Japanese companies have towards India.
Talking about the ease of doing business ranking of states based on 340 parameters, the DIPP secretary said: “We have now 10 states that have got more than 90 per cent score and we have 6 more states that have got more than 80 per cent.”
There is “tremendous competition” among states to improve their business climate to attract investments. (PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel