India emerged as best investment destination for investors despite global financial crisis and recessionary waves across the world, recording 45 per cent increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the period between April and December 2008 against the same period last year.

Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing parliament during presentation of interim budget, said that the country have strong economic fundamentals and it GDP growth rate of 7.1 percent, for the current financial year, makes it as the second fastest growing economy of the world.

He said, "The fallout of global slowdown on Indian economy was countered with fiscal stimulus packages announced in December 2008 and January
2009 providing tax relief to boost demand and increasing expenditure on public projects."

He said that government is paying special attention toward infrastructure projects to beat global recession, approving projects worth Rs 70,000 crore from August 2008 to January 2009.

India, as the world's 12th largest economy, maintains strong consumer market that makes it as attractive investment destination. The country is expected to emerge as the fifth largest consumer market with its urban and rural market is projected to grow by about 60 per cent and about 32 per cent respectively as per a study conducted by McKinsey Global Institute.