With a view to enhance the foreign investment in Indian capital markets, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified new Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) regulations to put in place an easier registration process and operating framework for overseas entities.
The new regulations that came into effect have replaced the existing regulations for Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), FPIs and Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs). As per the new SEBI’s norms, Know Your Client (KYC) requirements and other registration procedures have been made simpler for FPIs compared to current practices.
Further, SEBI has also noted that permanent registration will be granted to overseas entities as against the current practice of granting approvals for one year or five years adding that registration would be permanent unless suspended or cancelled by the regulator or surrendered by the FPI. The market regulators further added that FPIs would need to apply for registration through Designated Depository Participants (DDPs), subject to compliance with KYC norms. After receipt of application by the designated depository participant, FPIs shall endeavor to dispose of the application for grant of certificate of registration within 30 days. SEBI added that all existing FIIs and Sub Accounts may continue to buy, sell or otherwise deal in securities under the FPI regime.
SEBI has divided FPIs into three categories based on their risk profile. The Category I FPIs include lowest risk entities such as foreign governments and government related foreign investors. Category II FPIs include appropriately regulated broad based funds and regulated entities, university related endowments and pension funds etc. Meanwhile, Category III FPIs include all others not eligible under the first two categories.
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