NRIs get investment info centre

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today launched a "one-stop shop" for investment-related information for overseas Indians.

The centre, through its website and offices, will provide data on investment opportunities free of cost. It will also facilitate clearance of projects for a fee.

"The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) will act as an one-stop shop for enhancing partnership with the Indians residing abroad by giving authentic and realtime information," said Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.

Besides providing a database of opportunities, the centre would offer advisory services related to consular issues and financial services, he said.

Based on a public-private partnership model, the OIFC is being promoted by the ministry and managed by the CII. It will operate as a "not-for-profit trust" with a two-tier body for management.

The centre would screen the opportunities available in the country before enlisting these for the Indian diaspora so that they do not fall prey to "fly-by-night operators" and cheats, Ravi added.