FDI in multi brand retail sector will bring down inflation: D Subbarao

27 Jul 2011 Evaluate

Supporting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi brand retail, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said that FDI in multi brand retail sector will bring down the inflation. However, it also expressed its willingness to discuss any contrary view. The RBI Governor D Subbarao said 'The understanding is that it (FDI in multi-brand retail) will bring down inflation. Logically it will bring down ... but if there is contrarian views we will discuss them.'

Earlier last week, Committee of Secretaries (CoS) recommended 51% FDI in multi-brand retail. But the final decision will be taken by the Cabinet. At present, India has already allowed 100% FDI in single brand retail. The suggestion of FDI in multi brand retail, made by CoS had opened the way for retail giants such as Wal Mart Carry four, into India. Experts have the view that by removing middleman would help in improving the supply side management. Thus, this will help reducing the prices of food items. 

RBI Governor said that the inflow of longer term capital through the route will also help tide over issues regarding the current account deficit. By adding further he said we have to closely monitor the end-use of the proposed 51% direct capital investment by interested parties in the back-end operations.

However, FDI in multi brand retail is politically sensitive issue, and the opposition parties have been fervently opposing the move of government for opening the sector for foreign investment citing, FDI in multi-brand retail sector will have significant impact on the mom-and-pop shops in the neighborhood and it will also make millions of people unemployment. However, government has been keen to open this sector for FDI in order to remove the supply side pressure and improve the quality and quantity of foreign investment.

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