International coal companies needs time to understand Indian market: World Coal Association Chief

International companies will require time to understand India’s supply chains and how to meet growing demand of coal, following opening up of the Indian coal sector to foreign direct investment, feels World Coal Association.

“As with any large and complex investment decision, there are many risk factors to consider when investing in energy – the location of the blocks, transportation logistics, the prospect of further blocks coming to auction in order to grow your position, the end-user like power sector or for iron ore and steel, just to name a few. Investors will take their time to properly consider all of these elements as they would in any market. And it is these elements that will guide investment and the speed of the opening up of the coal sector in India,” World Coal Association chief executive Michelle Manook said.