Global retailers can open storages in states opposing foreign direct investment

Global retailers like Walmart and Tesco can set up warehouses,cold storages and source products from small and medium enterprises SMEs in states which have not permitted FDI in the multi-brand retail sector,a senior official said.

Foreign players can set up warehouses and also source products from small and medium enterprises from those states which are against FDI in multi-brand retail, a top official in the department of industrial policy and promotion DIPP said.

US-based Walmart and UK-based Tesco have sought clarifications from the DIPP on whether they could set up warehouses in states which are against the Centres retail FDI policy. The official also said there will also be no restriction on the foreign retailers from sourcing products from SMEs in those states.