Prajna Capital - An Investment Guide

IN SIMPLE terms, foreign direct investment refers to the investment made by an entity (generally a company) in an enterprise located in a different country. By virtue of making this investment, the investor gains a certain degree of influence or control over the management of the enterprise. It is generally believed that to qualify as FDI, the investor should be in possession of at least 10% of the shares of the company and have access to voting power in the company. FDI can be both outward and inward. In the case of inward FDI, the investor can enter the country by incorporating a company, either by getting into a joint venture with an Indian company or setting up a wholly owned subsidiary. Alternatively, he could retain the status of a foreign company and simply set up a liaison, project or branch office in India. However, it is generally expected that FDI signals long-term commitment on the part of the investor as there is a lot of physical investment included. What are the benef...