MRO Operations under Airports Included in Infra Lending

[RBI Circular No. 85 dated 6^th January 2014]

Sub: External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Policy – Liberalisation of definition of Infrastructure Sector

Attention of Authorised Dealer Category – I (AD Category – I) banks is invited to the Notification No. FEMA.281/2013-RB dated July 19, 2013 published in the Gazette of India vide G.S.R. No. 627 (E) dated September 12, 2013 and to the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 48 dated September 18, 2013 in terms of which definition of infrastructure sector for the purpose of raising ECB was expanded taking into account the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure sub-sectors and Institutional Mechanism for its updation approved by Government of India vide Notification F.No.13/06/2009-INF dated March 27, 2012.

2. On a review, it has been decided that, for the purpose of ECB, ‘Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul’ (MRO) will also be treated as a part of airport infrastructure. Accordingly, MRO, as distinct from the related services which are other than infrastructure, will be considered as part of the sub-sector of Airport in the Transport Sector of Infrastructure.

3. All other aspects of ECB policy shall remain unchanged.

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

5. 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.