Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday she would implement her party’s agenda of not allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail. Her priority, however, would be to boost exports, improve productivity and create jobs.

“At this stage, the party position is very, very clear,” she told reporters after assuming charge of the Ministry. “We have explained about FDI in multi-brand retail… that it probably is not best opened up now, because medium and small-sized traders or small farmers have not been adequately empowered... If you open up the floodgates of FDI in multi-brand retail, it may affect them.”

Ms. Sitharaman said she would sit with officials to further the manifesto-based agenda of the BJP.

(With inputs from PTI)