BackFIPB to decide on Tesco, HDFC Bank, Vodafone FDIproposals on Monday
Tesco proposes to enter the Indian multi-brand retail segment with an initial investment of $110 million
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New Delhi: The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) will on Monday take a call on Tesco’s proposal to enter India’s multi-brand retail segment and HDFC Bank’s request for raising foreign investment holding limit, among others.
The FIPB, headed by economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram, is also scheduled to take final call on Vodafone’s ₹ 10,141 crore foreign direct investment (FDI) proposal to buy out minority shareholders in its Indian arm. A decision on Vodafone’s application was deferred in the 9 December FIPB meeting.
The foreign investment application of SingTel Global (India) to increase foreign equity participation of existing foreign investor from 74% to 100% is also on the agenda of the 30 December meeting. The proposal entails investment worth ₹ 2.98 crore.
UK-based Tesco Plc proposes to enter the Indian multi-brand retail segment with an initial investment of $110 million. If approved, Tesco will pick up a 50% stake in Trent Hypermarket Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trent Ltd, a Tata group company.
Tesco is the first global retailer to apply for multi-brand retailing after the government allowed 51% FDI in the segment in September last year.
HDFC Bank is seeking FIPB’s nod for raising foreign investment holding limit beyond the existing 49% in the bank. The foreign shareholding in the bank (as on 13 December 2013) was 52.18% of its paid-up capital. In September,
FIPB cleared proposals of Axis Bank to raise foreign holding to 62% from 49%. CGP India Investments Ltd, an indirect Mauritian subsidiary of Vodafone International Holdings BV, is seeking FIPB approval to buy the stake held by minority shareholders in Vodafone India Ltd. The UK-based telecom major holds a 64.38% stake in the Indian unit.
In all there are 12 items on the agenda of the FIPB for Monday. While India allows FDI in most of the sectors through automatic route, government approval is required in certain sectors sensitive for the economy.
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