Anti-SEZ agitations have not impacted FDI, says Courtney Fingar, editor, Financial Times '' magazine fDi

New Delhi: Unfazed by the spurt of anti-SEZ land acquisition agitations in parts of the country, global investors continues to find India an attractive investment destinantion, says investments analyst, Courtney Fingar, editor of Financial Times '' global investments magazine fDi.

Calling the SEZ issue in India a political landmine, Fingar said SEZ investments were a double-edged sword that could not guarantee development everywhere, despite their success elsewhere.

He said that though it may be premature to speculate what such zones would eventually achieve for India, their creation does "send a signal to the global business community about the country''s keenness for FDI."

Fingar was in New Delhi to felicitate commerce minister Kamal Nath, who has championed SEZ investments and has been selected as selected for the "fDi personality of the year" award among other business and political leaders from Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Europe and North America.

According to a study, India as FDI Destination, released by JVDhélddén, an investment promotion company associated with the fDi awards, India was not realizing its full potential because of the business environment and policy hurdles, despite the huge FDI interests. It said, "2007 is definitely India''s year in the global spotlight."

Suren Uppal, director, VDhélddén,, said a significant increase in investment levels would be required for a sustainable growth of 8 per cent but the investment opportunities in diverse sectors in India was marred by the obstacles at various levels, he said.