Proposal to allow ECB by aviation sector may get govt's nod on April 26

19 Apr 2012 Evaluate

The government is likely to implement the proposal to allow aviation sector to raise up to $1 billion through external commercial borrowing (ECB) route for capital requirements by next week. It is expected that proposal will be implemented by April 26, 2012.

The move is expected to benefit the cash strapped domestic airlines, which are struggling for funds, in particular Kingfisher. As per the policy, airlines can raise working capital from abroad but only for a period of one year. So far, airlines were allowed to raise foreign capital only for import of capital equipment like aircraft.

The ECB move is coming in at a time when the government is actively considering a proposal to allow foreign airlines to buy up to 49% equity in domestic carriers. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has moved a Cabinet note in this regard.

ECBs, which totaled $35.9 billion in 2011-12, are considered attractive as cost of raising the loan is lower than that of domestic borrowings. Besides, ECBs give the borrowers an additional avenue to raise large amounts from the global financial market. The proportion of ECBs having maturity between 5 years and 7 years has by about 47% in 2007-08 to almost 70% in 2010-11. ECBs for infrastructure sector have gone up from 15.2% in 2007-08 to 42.3% in 2010-11.

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