FDI up 17 pc to $25.35 b during April-September this fiscal

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country increased by 17% to $25.35 billion during April-September this fiscal.

"FDI equity during the current FY 201718 (up to September) surged by 17% to $25.35 billion from $21.62 billion in the year-ago period," the DIPP said on its 'Make in India' twitter handle.

The department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), under the commerce and industry ministry, deals with FDI related issues.

It said that the total FDI into India including equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital stood at $518.10 billion during April 2000 to September this year.

The main sectors which attract foreign inflows include services, telecom, trading, computer hardware and software and automobile.

Bulk of the FDI came in from Singapore, Mauritius, the Netherlands and Japan.

Foreign investments are considered crucial for India, which needs around $1 trillion for overhauling its infrastructure sector such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth.

A strong inflow of foreign investments will help improve the country's balance of payments situation and strengthen the rupee value against other global currencies, especially the US dollar.