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Amazon's Bezos Announces $1 Billion Investment in India as Small Businesses
Protest

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - Amazon founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos
   announced a $1 billion investment in India on Wednesday, calling the
   South Asian country a key growth market. The announcement comes as
   hundreds of small traders protest against the world's biggest online
   retailer, saying Amazon's business practices are hurting local stores.

   "I predict that the 21st century is going to be India's century,"
   Bezos, dressed in a blue traditional Indian jacket, said at a company
   event that brought together small businesses in the Indian capital.

   The company said the latest investment would help bring more than 10
   million Indian businesses online as it sets up digital centers in 100
   villages and towns It will also aim to export goods worth $10 billion
   from India by 2025.

   Amazon says the initiative aims at empowering small businesses and that
   it already works with more than half a million sellers on its platform.

   The announcement however failed to convince protesting traders who held
   demonstrations holding posters saying "Jeff Bezos Go Back." More such
   protests are planned on Thursday.

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