RBI Allows Parking of ECB Proceeds in Term Deposits for Six Months Pending Utilisation for Permitted End Uses

[RBI Circular No. 39 dated 21^st November 2014]

Sub: External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Policy – Parking of ECB proceeds

Attention of Authorized Dealer Category - I (AD Category- I) banks is invited to A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 52 dated November 23, 2011 relating to parking of proceeds of External Commercial Borrowings (ECB).

2. At present, eligible ECB borrowers are required to bring ECB proceeds, meant for Rupee expenditure in India for permitted end uses, such as, local sourcing of capital goods, on-lending to Self-Help Groups or for micro credit, payment for spectrum allocation, etc., immediately for credit to their Rupee accounts with AD Category - I banks in India.

3. With a view to providing greater flexibility to the ECB borrowers in structuring draw down of ECB proceeds and utilisation of the same for permitted end uses, it has been decided to permit AD Category -I banks to allow eligible ECB borrowers to park ECB proceeds (both under the automatic and approval routes) in term deposits with AD Category- I banks in India for a maximum period of six months pending utilisation for permitted end uses. The facility will be with the following conditions:

i. The applicable guidelines on eligible borrower, recognised lender, average maturity period, all-in-cost, permitted end uses, etc. should be complied with.

ii. No charge in any form should be created on such term deposits i.e. to say that the term deposits should be kept unencumbered during their currency.

iii. Such term deposits should be exclusively in the name of the borrower.

iv. Such term deposits can be liquidated as and when required.

4. The amended ECB policy will come into force with immediate effect and is subject to review. All other aspects of ECB policy would remain unchanged.

5. AD Category banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers.

6. 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.