Reserve bank of India
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.120
June 26, 2013
To
All Authorised Dealer Category - I Banks
Madam / Sir,
External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Policy –
Structured Obligations
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD Category - I) banks is
invited to
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 40 dated March 02, 2010 and
A.P. (DIR
Series) Circular No. 28 dated September 26, 2011 pertaining to External
Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Policy (Structured Obligations).
- As per the extant guidelines, credit enhancement is permitted to be
provided by multilateral / regional financial institutions, Government owned
development financial institutions, direct/indirect foreign equity holder(s)
under the automatic route for domestic debt raised through issue of capital
market instruments, such as, Rupee denominated bonds and debentures, by
Indian companies engaged exclusively in the development of infrastructure
(as defined under the extant ECB policy) and by Infrastructure Finance
Companies (IFCs), which have been classified as such by the Reserve Bank.
- On a review, it has been decided that credit enhancement can be
provided by eligible non-resident entities to the domestic debt raised
through issue of INR bonds/ debentures by all borrowers eligible to raise
ECB under the automatic route. It has also been decided to reduce the
minimum average maturity of the underlying debt instruments from seven years
to three years. Prepayment and call/put options, however, would not be
permissible for such capital market instruments up to an average maturity
period of 3 years. All the other terms and conditions mentioned in para 4
(iv), (vi) to (viii) of
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 40 dated March 02, 2010 will remain unchanged.
- On invocation of such credit enhancement, if the guarantor meets the
liability and if the same is permissible to be repaid in foreign currency to
the eligible non-resident entity, the all-in-cost ceilings, as applicable to
the relevant maturity period of the Trade Credit / ECBs as per extant
guidelines, would apply to the novated loan.
- The amended policy will come into force with immediate effect and is
subject to review depending on the experiences gained in this regard.
- AD Category - I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the
notice of their constituents and customers.
- Necessary amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantees)
Regulations, 2000
Notification No. FEMA No. 8/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 have
been issued vide Notification No. FEMA.269/2013-RB dated March 19, 2013,
notified vide G.S.R.No.329(E) dated May 23, 2013.
- The directions contained in this circular have been issued under
sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of
1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required
under any other law.
Yours faithfully
(Rudra Narayan Kar)
Chief General Manager in-Charge
RBI//2012-13/553