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Govt mulls allowing non-food items under FDI policy

The government will consider the demands made by foreign retailers for allowing nonfood items such as home care products under the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy, Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday said.

Last year, the government had allowed 100 per cent FDI in marketing of food products which are produced and manufactured in India.

"Many big global retailers are keen to set up their stores in India after we allowed 100 per cent FDI in food processing sector.

But they are demanding they should be allowed to sell nonfood items such as home care products," Badal told Press Trust of India.

The minister on Monday heldameeting with representatives of 22 countries for inviting them to participate in World Food Fair to be organised in New Delhi in October.

She said the representatives sought that foreign retailers be allowed to import food products for initial six to eight months to test these items in Indian market before establishing facilities in the country.

Badal said she will take up the concerns of foreign retailers and all other stakeholders Prime Minister´s Office and other departments including department of industrial policy and promotion.

On the food fair, Badal said countries like the United Arab Emirates have expressed desire to be part of this event.

28TH FEBRUARY, 2017, BUSINESS STANDARD, NEW-DELHI.

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