Foreign Direct Investment Limitations and Opportunities

The Government has permitted FDI up to 100% under automatic route in townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction development projects (which would include, but not be restricted to, housing, commercial premises, hotels, resorts, hospitals, educational institutions, recreational facilities, city and  regional level infrastructure facilities, such as roads and bridges, transit systems et al), subject to the following guidelines:

The minimum area to be developed under each project would be as follows:

• In case of development of serviced housing plots, a minimum land area of 10 hectares.

• In case of construction development projects, a minimum built-up area of 50,000 sq.m.

• In case of a combination of the above two projects, any one of the above two conditions would suffice.

The minimum capitalization norm shall be US$ 10 million for a wholly owned subsidiary and US$ 5 million for joint ventures with Indian partner/s. The funds would have to be brought in within six months of commencement of business of the company.

Original investment cannot be repatriated before a period of three years from completion of minimum capitalization. However, the investor may be permitted to exit earlier with prior approval of the government through the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board).

Development of at least 50% of the integrated project within a period of five years from the date of obtaining all statutory clearances, has to be completed. The investor would not be permitted to sell underdeveloped plots (underdeveloped connotes, where roads, water supply, street lighting, drainage, sewerage and other conveniences as applicable under prescribed regulations, have not been made available). The investor must provide this infrastructure and obtain the completion certificate from the concerned local body/service agency before being allowed to dispose of the serviced housing plots.

The project shall conform to the norms and standards, including land use requirements and provision of community amenities and common facilities as laid down in the applicable building control regulations, by-laws, rules and other regulations of the State Govt./Municipal/Local Body concerned.

The investor shall be responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals, including those of the building/ layout plans, developing internal and peripheral areas and other infrastructure facilities, payment of development, external development and other charges and complying with all other requirements as prescribed under applicable rules/bye-laws/regulations of the State Government/Municipal Body/ Local Body concerned.

The State Government/ Municipal/ Local Body concerned, which approves the building/ development plans, will monitor the developer’s compliance to the above conditions.