Date:12/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/12/stories/2005051206621802.htm

Business - Briefly

FDI in retail under discussion stage

NEW DELHI: The proposal to throw open retail trade to foreign investors is still in the `discussion stage,' the Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, said on Wednesday in the wake of stiff opposition by the Left parties to the liberalisation move. Steering clear of the controversy, Mr. Chidambaram said: "FDI in retail was first mooted by the Commerce Ministry. It is still under discussion stage."