The Reserve Bank on Tuesday allowed
infrastructure companies to raise funds in Chinese currency Yuan up to$1 billion to fund infrastructure development in the country, which requires investment to the tune of $1 trillion in next five years.
On a review of the current External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) policy, it has been decided, in consultation with the Government of India, to allow Indian companies which are in the infrastructure sector, to avail of ECBs in Renminbi (Yuan), under the approval route, RBI said in a notification.
This is subject to an annual ceiling of $1 billion pending further review, it said.
Once approved, it said the approval of the RBI will be valid for a period of three months from the date of issue of the approval letter and the loan agreement should be executed within the validity period.
It is to be noted that the government has already said that the infrastructure sector requires investment of USD 1 trillion during the 12th plan (2012-17). Of this 50 per cent would come from the private sector.
Banks will be permitted to open Nostro accounts in Renminbi (RMB). The designated bank shall monitor the end-use of funds and bank in India will not be permitted to provide any form of guarantee, it said.
The amended ECB policy will come into force with immediate effect and is subject to review, it said.
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