As per a report in Economic Times, the Commerce and Industry Ministry will initiate formal consultations with all stake holders soon for allowing FDI in e-commerce activities, which will include selling of insurance and shares, besides retail.
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has started the exercise on the matter and has prepared a “draft note”. An economic think-tank has also been asked to prepare a note on the issue.
Currently foreign companies cannot directly offer online retailing. However, there is no FDI restriction in the marketplace format, which is about offering a platform for third parties and consumers to sell and buy products. Consequently a number of retailers including E-bay have entered India as marketplaces.