New Delhi: The insurance sector is abuzz with hopes of the influx of investments post the landmark ordinance that cleared the cap of FDI up to 49%. Speaking to news correspondents, Arun Jaitley, the Finance Minister of India said that the Government was hopeful to rope in around $6-8 billion for this sector soon.
Referring to the future growth potential of India's insurance industry, the IRDA Chairman, Mr. T. V. Vijayan said, "The domestic insurance industry needs investments worth up to ` 60,000 crore in next five years to increase penetration levels substantially from the current 3.9 per cent."
Mr. Vijayan also stated, "Our calculation was that, in the next five years, to increase the penetration, `50,000 crore to ` 60,000 crore is required. This was our calculation some time ago. When the sector started, it (insurance penetration in the country) was less than 2 per cent. It has doubled to 3.9 per cent now. I will not say it will double again. But there will be substantial growth (with the investments in the next five years)."
The current mood of top executives is buoyant and most believe that this year could be the turning point for this industry. A senior industry source said that health insurance takes center stage. This is mainly due to Modi Government's Universal Health Care Plan, a plan to provide health insurance to all citizens of the country.