Delhi NCR, Maharashtra attract over 50 per cent of FDI in India

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra and National Capital Region have cornered over 50 per cent of the foreign direct investment inflows into the country since April 2000, according to the industry ministry data.

Maharashtra attracted maximum foreign inflows at $61.13 billion, about 33 per cent of total FDI inflows during April 2000 - October 2012.

Delhi's National Capital Region ( NCR) including parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, received $35.4 billion foreign direct investment during the period.

NCR accounted for 19 per cent of the country's total FDI. During the period, India received $185.7 billion foreign inflows, according to the data.

According to experts, the main reason for the maximum inflows into Maharashtra and NCR is substantial improvement in the infrastructure and pro-active approach of the respective governments.

"Infrastructure in these areas have improved considerably and that is making them attractive destination for foreign investment," an official said.

Karnataka attracted the third highest FDI inflows worth $10.25 billion during the period, followed by Tamil Nadu ($9.6 billion), Gujarat ($8.53 billion), Andhra Pradesh ($7.41 billion) and West Bengal (2.04 billion).

Sectors, which attracted maximum FDI include services, telecommunication, metallurgical industries, power, computer hardware and software, and construction activities.

The highest FDI of $70.9 billion came from Mauritius followed by Singapore ($18.4 billion), UK ($17 billion), Japan ($13.83 billion) and the US ($10.8 billion) during April 2000 - October 2012.

The government is making sustained efforts to make the FDI policy regime more attractive and investor friendly, with a view to attract investments from all major investing nations.

The government had liberalised FDI policy in several important sectors like multi-brand retail, aviation, power exchanges and broadcasting.

During April-October this fiscal, India has attracted FDI worth $14.7 billion as against $$25.3 billion in the same period last year.