According to industry ministry officials, the approved amount for the power sector, which accounts for over 15 per cent of the total approved FDI amount, came in through 192 cases, including 175 financial cases.

The fuels sector, which includes power and oil refinery sector accounted for over 30 per cent of the total FDI during the 1991-99 period. Total approved FDI in the fuels sector was to the tune of Rs 63,271 crore with the oil refinery sector receiving FDI approvals worth Rs 18,917 crore.

The second largest recipient was the telecommunications sector with approved amount crossing Rs 36,100 crore at 17.6 per cent of the total approved FDI. The cellular mobile and basic telephone service sector accounted for 11.85 per cent of the total approved FDI at Rs 24,302 crore during the period. The number of cases approved in the sector during the period were 151 including 142 financial cases.

The transportation industry was the third largest recipient accounting for about eight per cent of the total approved FDI at Rs 16,320 crore, with the passenger car sector accounting for 3.25 per cent at Rs 6,674 crore during the period.

The total amount of FDI approved by the government during the August 1999- October 31, 1999 period was Rs 205,187.13 crore (about $ 58.6 billion). However, total inflows during the period were only to the tune of Rs 64,169.83 crore ($ 17.82 billion), added officials.

The service sector was the fourth largest recipient of foreign investment with approved FDI amount of Rs 13,529 crore. The financial sector accounted for a major share of the total approved FDI in the service sector, with Rs 8,834 crore.

Metallurgical industries accounted for 5.8 per cent of the total FDI amount at Rs 12,067 crore during the period, putting it at the fifth place in terms of FDI approvals. The government approved 585 cases in the sector - 317 technical and 268 financial cases.

The electrical equipments industry, including computer software industry, computer hardware and electronics sectors, received Rs 11,423 crore during the period accounting for 5.5 per cent of the total approved FDI amount.

The food processing industry accounted for 4.13 per cent of the total approved FDI amount at Rs 8,479 crore, including the food products sector accounting for 4.08 per cent at Rs 8,377 crore.