FDI in Apr dips 26 pc to $1.7 bn; lowest in 5 months

The foreign direct investment (FDI) into India has declined 26 per cent to USD 1.70 billion in April - the lowest in last five months, according to the data of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

In April 2013, the country had received FDI worth USD 2.32 billion.

Amongst the top 10 sectors, pharmaceuticals received the lowest FDI in April at USD one million as against USD 987 million in April 2013.

Sectors which registered growth in FDI include services (USD 382 million), hotel and tourism (USD 109 million), metallurgical industries (USD 72 million), construction (USD 69 million), the data said.

Last time, the country had received its lowest FDI in December when it was USD 1.10 billion.
During the month under review, India received maximum FDI from Mauritius at USD 489 million, followed by Singapore (USD 316 million), Japan (USD 214 million), the Netherlands (USD 101 million) and the UK (USD 43 million).

Overall, the inflows had aggregated to USD 24.29 billion in 2013-14 as against USD 22.42 billion in 2012-13.

India would require around USD 1 trillion in the next five years to overhaul its infrastructure sector, including ports, airports and highways to boost growth.

Decline in foreign investments could put pressure on the country's balance of payments and may also impact the value of the rupee.