Strengthening forex reserves amid US-Iran war: RBI announces 5 measures to attract foreign capital - check details

US-Iran war: Moving in to bolster forex reserves and attract foreign investments, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Sanjay Malhotra on Friday announced five measures. The steps come at a time when foreign investors have been exiting Indian equities at a record pace, putting pressure on the rupee and India’s foreign exchange reserves.

The situation assumes significance as the US-Iran conflict has led to rising global crude oil and energy prices, putting pressure on India’s balance of payments and current account deficit as the import bill goes up.]

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RBI Announces 5 Steps To Attract Foreign Inflows

• First, the scope of ‘specified securities’ under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR) for government securities is being widened to include all fresh issuances of 15-year, 30-year and 40-year government bonds.

Additionally, restrictions relating to short-term investments, concentration limits and exposure to individual securities for foreign portfolio investors under the General Route are being removed. Together with the tax-related incentives announced by the government earlier today, these steps are expected to improve foreign participation in financing government borrowings, RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra said.

• Second, investment limits for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) in listed equity instruments traded on stock exchanges without SEBI registration are being enhanced. The same benefit will now be extended to all individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs), placing them on an equal footing with NRIs and OCIs.

• Third, a concessional foreign exchange swap facility will be made available until September 30, 2026, to encourage external commercial borrowings (ECBs) by public sector undertakings (PSUs).

• Fourth, authorised dealer (AD) banks will be provided a similar facility to cover the full hedging cost for mobilising fresh FCNR(B) deposits with maturities ranging from three to five years. This facility will also remain available until September 30, 2026.

• Fifth, it has been proposed to reinstate the export proceeds realization period to nine months.

“While these measures are expected to strengthen our balance of payments, we will continue to make the right policy adjustments to further promote exports and attract and incentivise capital inflows,” Sanjay Malhotra said.

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