As per the Economic Survey 2017-18, the electronic commerce (e-commerce) market in India is estimated at USD 33 billion, with a growth rate of 17 percent in financial year 2018-19.
As per the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) Strategic Review 2018, in the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector in India, the Indian e-commerce market was USD 33 billion in 2017-18 and reached USD 38.5 billion, growing at a rate of about 17 percent in the financial year 2018-19.
As per extant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy, FDI up to 100 percent is permitted under automatic route in companies engaged in e-commerce provided that such company engaged only in Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce, official sources said
Further, 100 per cent FDI under automatic route is permitted in marketplace model of e-commerce but FDI is not permitted in inventory based model of e-commerce.
An entity is permitted to undertake retail trading through e-commerce subject to FDI policy provisions.
A manufacturer is permitted to sell its products manufactured in India through e-commerce retail. A single brand retail trading entity operating through brick and mortar stores is permitted to undertake retail trading through e-commerce.
A food product retail trading entity is allowed to undertake retail trading, including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured and/or produced in India.
For foreign investment in sectors under automatic route, no prior permission of Government of India is required, the sources said.
FDI in retail has been allowed in a calibrated manner after having intensive consultations with stakeholders including concerned Ministries, Departments, State Governments, apex industry chambers, Associations and other organizations taking into consideration their views/comments.― United News Of India
