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India offers a stable, prosperous foundation to grow one’s business. It offers rich business opportunities and markets to non-resident Indians (NRIs) for new products and services. It is one of the fastest, easiest and lucrative investment destinations in the world to set up business. India is the second-most profitable destination, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Prospects Survey 2010-2012. India is in the midst of rapid economic and social transition and is giving a feel good factor to the NRIs, especially the real estate sector. Returns from real estate investments in India have consistently performed well and have even outperformed other investment options. The Government of India has created many policies and schemes to maximize opportunities for NRIs looking to invest in Indian real estate sector. The rules have been liberalised to attract more and more investments. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed, both people residing outside India holding Indian passports and also person of Indian origin (PIO) to invest in residential as well as commercial properties in India. The purchase can be done out of funds remitted to India through normal banking channels or funds held in certain types of accounts in India. NRI can freely invest in any partnership or proprietorship firm (not engaged in agriculture/plantation/real estate) on a non-repatriable basis. The sale or transfer of shares and debentures to Indian residents is permissible. The Government also offers huge investment opportunities in government securities, Unit Trust of India (UTI), National Saving Certificates, shares and mutual funds. NRIs/PIOs are permitted to invest in the foreign direct investment (FDI) scheme on a repatriation basis in equity shares/ Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS)/ Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs) of an Indian company. They are also permitted to make portfolio investments. The RBI has granted general permission to NRIs/PIOs, for undertaking direct investments in Indian companies, under the automatic route purchase of shares. The ‘24% Scheme’ permits Indian companies, apart from those operating in the agricultural sector, to issue 24% of their debentures and shares to NRIs with repatriation benefits. The health care sector has also opened new business opportunities for NRIs/PIOs to invest in India because of the rise in disposable income, penetration of health insurance and unhealthy lifestyle of present generation. With a huge agriculture sector, abundant livestock, and cost competitiveness; India is fast emerging as a sourcing hub of processed food. The food services sector in India is expected to witness a 50 per cent increase in investments in 2012 to about US$ 750 million, as food suppliers and retail companies plan to scale up business and stay competitive by tapping the large potential of the domestic market. There are many other exciting business opportunities in India, especially, for entrepreneurs dealing in outsourcing technology, internet ventures, software development, e-commerce, etc. Government’s intervention on policy issues, especially, tax regulations and FDI in sectors like retail, aviation etc. will play an important role in driving large transactions, especially, inbound deals. India’s growth story remains intact and NRIs/PIOs can look forward to see better investment options in 2nd half of 2012. About the Author: Harjeet is an Indian - born mass-market novelist, who covers the world internet related topics . He writes columns and articles for various websites and internet journals in the domain of Investments.
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investment options, business opportunities, NRIs investment opportunities, investment sectors, foreign direct investmnet, real estate sector in india,
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