Walmart hopeful about CCI's nod

New Delhi: US retail behemoth Walmart CEO Doug McMillon on Thursday said that it saw “no trouble” in getting regulatory approval from CCI to buy 77 per cent stake in Flipkart.

Mr McMillon played down not being able to meet either Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any senior minister after announcing the world's biggest e-commerce deal, saying he has had meetings with officials in the past and would have them in future as well, according to reports.

Asked about ‘icy demeanour’ of the government in him not being able to meet the Prime Minister, and the commerce minister Suresh Prabhu’s changing plans at the last moment, he said he did not take the events as cold reception. “I didn’t really take it that way,” he said. “We deal with the government at all kinds of levels all the time... We have met before and I am sure will meet again.”

Asked specifically if an appointment with Prime Minister was indeed sought, he said Walmart is not new to the country. “That (meeting) is not the most important thing. We don’t need a photo-op,” he said.

Walmart also tried to assuage concerns around its $16 billion takeover of Flipkart, saying the deal is good for the country as it will help create millions of jobs over time and help the economy through local sourcing of goods by the company.

“It is pretty clear that this (deal) is good for customers and would create jobs and help society,” he said at a select media roundtable.