Coca-Cola, IKEA’s investment plan proves policy initiatives went right: Sharma

28 Jun 2012 Evaluate

On the backdrop of leading corporates making investment commitments in India, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma has expressed his confidence on policy initiatives that the government has taken to revive the Indian economy.

Recently, global majors like Coca-Cola and IKEA have announced their multi-billion investment plans for Indian market. Further, the UK-based premium footwear firm Pavers England has also submitted an application for investment. Coca-Cola had announced an investment of Rs 28,500 crore by 2020 in various activities, while IKEA has assured an investment capital of Rs 10,500 crore to set up 25 stores in the country.

Sharma opined that the entry of retail giant, IKEA will aid in empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as single brand FDI policy enforces global retailers to source 30% of their requirement from SMEs which have a total investment in plant and machinery not exceeding $1 million. The Swedish home-ware giant has been sourcing from India since long and about 30% of IKEA’s textile accounts from India. However, IKEA has asked the government to relax norms regarding mandatory sourcing from small units for operating 100 percent controlled single-brand retail business in India.

The central government has been facing criticism from various sides, including rating agencies and a section of the corporate sector, for failing to carry out policy reforms, decline in foreign investments and overall economic slowdown. The country's foreign direct investment (FDI) has declined by 41% to $1.85 billion in April as compared to the same period in the previous year.

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