PM Narendra Modi's foreign visits led to higher FDI inflow: Government

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits have yielded results in terms of increase in Foreign Direct Investment inflows and overall trade in goods, Parliament was informed today.

"As a result of these (visits), the FDI inflows have witnessed a 40 per cent increase in 2015 (up to December) over the corresponding period in 2014. Moreover, India's overall trade in goods with these countries has risen by 2.3 per cent from 2013-14 to 2014-15," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The foreign visits undertaken by the Prime Minister have been instrumental in creating a positive momentum and boosting the bilateral relations between India and respective countries, she said.

The visits have also resulted in signing of several trade pacts, establishing framework for enhanced security, border defence and space cooperation, promoting cooperation flagship campaigns like Digital India, Make in India, Clean India and Skill Development, she said.

PM's foreign visits also facilitated meetings of CEO Forums and several B2B meetings to enhance business opportunities and investments, she added.

Since June 2014, the Prime Minister has gone abroad over 35 times and has visited number of countries including Bhutan, USA, Myanmar, China and Canada.