Page 11 - Banking Finance June 2025

ROUNDUP

levels, and for groups of 30 or more,
FSSAI can send officers to conduct on-
site sessions.

The conference, hosted by Nutrihub of
the Indian Institute of Millets Re-
search, brought together over 300
stakeholders to discuss scaling sustain-
Ò»©­ able agri-businesses.

Gross FDI Rises to $81 Bil-
lion in FY25 Despite Net

Inflows Slump
India saw a 13.6% increase in gross
foreign direct investment (FDI) to $81
Foreign Lawyers Allowed to Practise in India, But billion in FY25, marking the fastest
Limited to Non-Litigious Roles annual rise since 2019-20. However,
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has amended its 2022 Rules to formally allow net FDI plunged by 97% to just $353
foreign lawyers and law firms to practise foreign law in India, but only on a million due to a sharp rise in repatria-
reciprocity basis and within defined limits. While a 2023 resolution had per- tion and stake disinvestment, particu-
mitted foreign legal professionals to advise clients in India informally, the larly in Q4 when inflows dropped 6% to
2025 amendments now provide a formal and regulated mechanism for reg- $17.9 billion amid global uncertainties,
istration and practice. including Donald Trump's election
rhetoric encouraging reshoring to the
Under the revised rules, foreign lawyers are permitted to advise on foreign
US.
and international law, participate in cross-border transactions, arbitration,
According to RBI data, stake repatria-
and offer legal services in non-litigious matters such as contract drafting
and due diligence. However, they are strictly barred from advising on In- tion surged 16% to $51.5 billion. Simul-
dian law or appearing before Indian courts. taneously, India's outbound FDI jumped
75% to $29.2 billion, with $17 billion in
The BCI emphasized that foreign lawyers can be involved in international equity capital alone. Consequently, the
commercial arbitration conducted in India, provided the matters concern
net inflow into India was reduced to a
foreign or international law, thus promoting India as a hub for global arbi-
marginal $29.5 billion.
tration without infringing upon the role of Indian lawyers.
A senior policymaker noted, "FDI in-
flows into India have shown a healthy
Start-ups Can Secure FSSAI prietary foods, is now fast and fully trend, but with more Indian companies
digital.
Licence in a Day, Says showing global investment appetite,
Naik stated that entrepreneurs no net inflows have been impacted." Glo-
Regulator longer need to visit offices, as the en- bal investor preference has increas-
The Food Safety and Standards Author- tire process is online. "If there's a de- ingly shifted to destinations like Viet-
ity of India (FSSAI) has streamlined the lay, applicants can raise the issue digi- nam and Mexico, prompting calls for
licensing process for food start-ups, tally, and inspections can only be con- deeper domestic reforms.
promising same-day approvals for ap- ducted with official permission," he
plications with valid documents. Speak- added. L&T Q4 Profit Surges 25%
ing at the Millet Stakeholders Summit FSSAI is also focused on training, aim- to Rs 5,497 Crore on
2025, FSSAI Deputy Director Balu Naik ing to educate one lakh individuals
assured that obtaining a licence, par- annually in each state. Free regulatory Strong Revenue Growth
ticularly for basic categories like pro- training sessions are offered at state Engineering and infrastructure giant

10 | 2025 | JUNE | BANKING FINANCE