Removing FIPB may lead to liberalising of defence production

01 Feb 2017

Atul Pandey, associate partner, Khaitan & Co

''In the budget, the FM announced that the FIPB may be abolished. Since in the defence sector any FDI beyond 49% requires government approval, it appears that either this sector will be further liberalised by allowing 100% FDI in the automatic route or the nodal ministry (ie ministry of defencde) will process and decide any application for approval of an FDI in excess of 49%. We need to wait for the roadmap ahead''.