BackExternal commercial borrowings policy must remain proactive
External commercial borrowings policy must remain proactive
PremiumIllustration: Jayachandran / Mint
An Indian enterprise borrowing in foreign exchange has to comply with the external commercial borrowings (ECB) policy announced by the regulator, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). ECBs encompass commercial bank loans, buyers’ credit, suppliers’ credit, securitised instruments such as floating rate notes and fixed rate bonds, credit from official export credit agencies, foreign currency convertible bonds and commercial borrowings from the private sector lending arms of multilateral financial institutions—for instance, the International Finance Corporation and the Asian Development Bank. The ECB policy is monitored and updated by RBI on a regular basis, according to the macroeconomic conditions and foreign exchange liquidity situation.
The Indian economy has seen phenomenal growth over the last few years. The economic boom was initiated by the information technology sector and followed by the resurgence in the manufacturing and services industries. While the boom was accompanied by substantial foreign direct investment, Indian enterprises have also accessed significant amounts of foreign debt. The cost of borrowing being higher in India compared with the international market, Indian companies started using the ECB route frequently. As an anti-inflationary measure, RBI amended the ECB policy, making it more restrictive.
Such a change in the interest rate can be initiated using a “market disruption event" clause. While this is a common clause in the standard Loan Market Association standard loan agreements, a market disruption event would typically be invoked when there is an actual disaster, such as a critical breakdown of computer systems, natural disasters, and so on. This clause appears to be the only comfort to many troubled lenders across the globe. A market disruption event would allow the lender to calculate the rate of interest for a specific loan that represents its actual cost of funds.
ECBs have suffered in view of the adverse economic conditions coupled with the regulatory hurdles; a quick look at statistics shows that the quantum of ECBs accessed through the automatic route (that is, without prior RBI approval) fell drastically, from $1.104 billion (Rs5,508.96 crore) in October 2007 to $321 million in October 2008. RBI has tried to address the problems faced in the realm of ECBs by announcing a number of steps to liberalize the policy. These steps include increasing the all-in-cost ceiling (the all-in-cost ceiling is the total amount including interest, fees and expenses, except certain specified fees and expenses, per loan) allowing rupee expenditure from ECB proceeds, and so on. The all-in-cost ceiling can now also be dispensed with altogether, with specific RBI approval. The scheme with regard to foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs), a type of ECB, has also been liberalized and prepayment has been allowed for FCCBs without RBI approval upon fulfilment of specified conditions. While RBI officials have tried to stimulate the ECB market to provide the required foreign exchange liquidity at affordable rates, lenders globally have been either increasing rates of interest or demanding prepayment of existing loans.
The ECB policy makes any prepayment (repayment prior to the maturity of the loan) subject to prior RBI approval. This applies to on-demand prepayments as well, regardless of the terms of the loan agreement. The RBI approval is not a mere formality and there have been cases where such approval has not been granted, specifically in cases where a default by the borrower cannot be demonstrated. However, if there is a “material" default on the part of the borrower, RBI may be inclined to take a more favourable view. RBI does not normally grant approval for on-demand prepayment in advance. While the borrower consenting to such prepayment is not an essential precondition, such consent may be helpful if default cannot be demonstrated.
Keeping in mind the aggressive overseas expansion undertaken by Indian companies recently, a significant portion of which has been funded by ECBs, this global economic crisis could not have come at a worse juncture. Indian companies have sought to identify methods of refinancing existing foreign currency debt, especially loans coming up for repayment. A suggestion has been floated that Indian banks and RBI set up a fund to lend to borrowers who have to prepay or repay existing ECBs.
Admittedly, the global financial situation continues to be uncertain even today. The US, UK, European countries and Japan have all officially recognized the recession and the increase in the downside risks to the global economy. Simultaneously, the policy initiatives in these economies have been geared towards managing the recession and defusing potentially deflationary trends. The International Monetary Fund has also recently revised downward world growth rate to levels of 1.5%— the lowest since World War II (India’s growth rate is predicted to fall to 5% in 2009 from 7.3% in 2008 and 9.3% in 2007) and has urged a global policy response.
The challenge for India lies in the regulator—RBI—ensuring that the ECB policy remains proactive and reflects the economic reality. Simultaneously, banks and financial institutions should endeavour to continue lending to reputed firms that have a good credit history.
This column is contributed by Satyajit Gupta of AZB & Partners, Advocates & Solicitors.
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