““FDI in insurance from 49% to 74% is a key change, and this will help bring in more investments to scale up business in India. Prior to this change, insurance companies had to be Indian owned and controlled, and with the change foreign ownership and control will now be permitted with safeguards. There is also a proposal to have sufficient number of independent directors, given the sensitivity of the sector. Will help boost the sector particularly given the pandemic and the likely inclination for more insurance cover. FDI in insurance intermediaries has already been permitted upto 100%, so this was an expected next step to provide effective stimulus for the sector.”
– Raj Ramachandran, Partner, J. Sagar Associates