Retailing freedom

Economist writes

Retailing is one of the last big sectors of the Indian economy to open up to FDI. Previous attempts by foreign retailers to start businesses were blocked by successive governments. In the 1990s opposition from traders and local shopkeepers was enough to convince politicians. Later on the government was persuaded by the political left, and also by the Indian business lobby. The current government now has no hope of allowing FDI into general retailing by the end of this year.