Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

18-April-2012 17:41 IST

Infrastructure development holds the key to India’s economic growth. Currently, since September 23, 2011, Indian companies in the infrastructure sector are permitted to utilise 25 per cent of the fresh ECB raised by them towards refinancing of the domestic Rupee loan (s) under the approval route.

In view of the increasing capital requirement of the power sector, Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee had, in his Budget Speech 2012-13, announced further liberalization of the ECBs for refinancing of the Rupee debt for the power sector.

Power companies will now be able to raise ECBs for refinancing their rupee debt upto a maximum limit of 40%, provided the remaining 60% of the ECB raised is utilized for investment in a new project.

This policy decision would increase access to cheaper funds for companies in the power sector.

RBI is expected to issue relevant circular/notification giving effect to the aforesaid Budget announcement within 7 days.

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SS/SL

ECB refinancing flexibility for power sector expands rupee debt refinancing when majority of funds used for new project. Power companies may use a specified portion of fresh External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) to refinance existing domestic rupee loans under the approval route, provided the remaining portion of the ECB proceeds is utilised for investment in a new project. The change aims to increase access to lower-cost foreign funds for the power sector while maintaining approval-route oversight. Implementation is subject to a Reserve Bank of India circular/notification to give effect to the Budget announcement.