India attracted FDI equity inflows of $1,274 million in February 2011. The cumulative amount of FDI equity inflows from April 2000 to February 2011 stood at $193.7 billion, according to the data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). The humungous increase in investment mirrors the foreign investors’ faith in the Indian markets.

The services sector comprising financial and nonfinancial services attracted 21 percent of the total FDI equity inflow into India worth $3,274 million during April-February 2011, while telecommunications (including radio paging, cellular mobile and basic telephone services) attracted the second largest amount of FDI worth $1,410 million during the same period. Automobile industry was the third highest sector attracting FDI worth $1,320 million followed by Housing and Real Estate industry that garnered FDI worth $1,109 million during the financial year April-February 2011. India's foreign investment policy has been formulated with a view to inviting and encouraging FDI into India. The process of regulation and approval has been substantially liberalized. FDI under automatic route is permitted in most activities/sectors, except a few where prior approval of the government is required.

The Indian government welcomes FDI in all sectors where it is permitted, especially for development of infrastructure, technological upgradation of Indian industry through 'greenfield' investments and in projects having the potential of creating employment opportunities on a large scale. Investment for setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and establishing manufacturing units are also welcomed. Details relating to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy in India are available on the website:  
 

Tata Chemicals has acquired 25.1 percent stake in the ammonia-urea fertilizer complex at Gabon in Africa for $290 million.

Fortis Malar Hospitals has taken over operations and management of cardiac center at 170-bed Oasis Hospitals in Sri Lanka. The cardiac center will be fully equipped to cover all aspects of cardiac care ranging from prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitated cardiac care.

Manipal Group’s home fragrance company Primacy Industries has acquired US-based Midwest-CBK, the manufacturers of household candle brands like Colonial Candle, Seasons of Cannon Falls and CBK, in an all-cash deal.

Infosys Technologies is planting the seeds for a long-term IT services play in the African continent. The company is now laying the groundwork to expand its offerings to include Infosys's various offshore IT services that it offers in larger markets. This includes application services, infrastructure management, package implementation and architecture services.

Wind turbine maker Suzlon Energy is all set to acquire the residual stake in German company REpower, to get 100 percent control of the company. It has notified the board of REpower to initiate squeeze-out proceedings with respect to minority shareholders.

IT firm Mahindra Satyam said it has bagged an order from Qatar University for implementing IT software solution to manage its business processes. The contract will be implemented over a nine-month period and will cover end-to-end implementation of IT solution.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has opened its newly expanded Chirotech Technology Centre, a purpose-built facility to house its laboratories and offices, at the Cambridge Science Park, UK.

Flexible packaging firm Uflex Ltd will be investing around $180 million in phases to set up a green-field plant in Kentucky, US. The new manufacturing plant, to be operational by 2012, is part of Uflex's strategy to gain competitive advantage of increased proximity to the markets globally.

Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), the flagship entity of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has won a fresh order for exporting rails to Sri Lanka.