India closer to opening up $450 bln retail sector

NEW DELHI, July 23, 2011 (AFP) - A top Indian government panel has approved a plan to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country's vast retail market in what would be one of the country's biggest economic reforms.





"Business confidence will grow. It will definitely benefit the farmers as well as consumers, besides attracting more investments," D.





S. Rawat, secretary general of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.





But it said investors would have to put in at least 0 million to set up multibrand retail stores and would only be allowed to operate in cities with at least one million people, the Press Trust of India said late Friday.

The proposal to more fully open up the Indian retail market, whose annual sales are estimated at around 0 billion, now must go to the federal cabinet for approval and then overcome widespread political opposition.

The move would mark one of the biggest reforms by India's Congress-led government. But analysts say it could be difficult for the embattled government to push through the major changes as it fends off a slew of corruption charges.

Multi-brand foreign groups such as US-based Walmart currently operate as wholesalers but cannot sell direct