Kerala traders shut down to protest FDI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A large number of traders in Kerala Wednesday shut down their businesses to protest moves to permit foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector.

The call for the 24-hour shutdown was given by the biggest body of traders in the state, the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi.

"The central government should immediately withdraw the decision to allow 100 percent FDI in single brand retail," said P. Ramachandran, vice president of the Samithi.

"Wherever multinational giants have come in, small shop owners have been the worst affected," he said.