India's engineering sector is the largest of the industrial sectors, representing 27% of factories and 63% of foreign collaborations in the industrial sector. The sector's growth is driven by infrastructure, electricity, mining, oil and gas, refinery, steel, automobiles, and consumer durables industries. India has a competitive advantage in engineering sub-sectors due to low manufacturing costs, market knowledge, technology, and innovation. Government policies and initiatives have aided in the development of the engineering sector, including allowing 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) and making it the biggest contributor to India's merchandise exports. In addition, India became a permanent member of the Washington Accord (WA) in 2014.