Numberwise: Foreign companies' interest in India fades, shows data

The number of firms active in the country is declining and new manufacturing concerns are scarce

George Acland from Great Britain ran a coffee plantation in Sri Lanka and set up India’s first jute mill in 1855. He raised capital and imported the machinery for the mill on the banks of the Hooghly in West Bengal. His company wasn’t a great success, but his pioneering work paved the way for India to dominate the jute industry.

Foreign companies importing technology for their use often facilitate the development of indigenous industry. How has their interest in India changed in recent times? Registrations are up, but the number of active foreign companies in India has dropped. There are