Nirmala Sitharaman assumed charge as Minister of State (Independent Charge) Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.

Speaking to media persons after taking charge, Sitharaman said that there are lots of things happening in this department which should be taken forward with greater enthusiasm given the impetus with which the Prime Minister Narendra Modi would like the Department to function.

Commerce and Industry minister emphasized that she will give best of my time to improve economic and commercial ties with India's trading partners.
 
On the issue of foreign direct investment (FDI), Sitharaman said that there will not be a blanket approach for every sector, and that each and every sector would be looked in a very, very calibrated fashion.

On FDI in multi-brand retail, she said that is not best opened up now because the way in which medium and small sized traders or small farmers have not been adequately empowered that immediately if you open up the floodgates of FDI in multi-brand retail, it may affect them.