KnowLaw on International Issue of securities through ADR/GDR/FCCB and listing in foreign stock exchanges

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Know Law

Labz India Notification 12 of 2012

A written-cum-video initiative to know your corporate legal position as on date

 

 

Legal Queries???

 

 

How to utilize & escalate your company’s resources? Are you confident that you have utilised the company's resource to the fullest potential!!!  What is your market capitalisation of the company? Do you want your declaration of financial results to be a national affair? Have you exploited all sources of funding for your business? Whether your company is enjoying a bigger brand value across the globe? Are you exploring the possibilities of various funding options internationally? How to raise money from abroad? Do you want to list your company in foreign stock exchanges like NASDAQ, London Stock Exchange, Australian Stock Exchange? Have you heard about depository receipts and how does it works? What are the instruments available ro raise money? Can foreigners invests in an Indian company through secondary market with less compliance requirement? Can an Indian company lists abroad without having any overseas branches of its office?

 

Solution…

International Issue of securities through ADR/GDR/FCCB and listing in foreign stock exchanges

Raising money from abroad is a good option provided you have a feasible and viable project in hand, since there more investors abroad when compared to India. This option can be utilized by a company interested in capturing resources of international market, provided it complies with the criterion of past track record & performances as prescribed.

International Issue of securities through ADR/GDR/FCCB and listing in foreign stock exchanges requires approval under Company laws, Securities laws, FEMA regulations, approvals of FIPB and approvals of stock exchange from abroad and India. This process involves preparation of offer documents, appointment of market intermediaries like merchant banker, satisfying criterion with depositories and custodian banks in India and abroad, collecting investments, issuing shares and listing in stock exchanges abroad.  Read More...

 

Requirement under Indian laws on International Issue of securities through ADR/GDR/FCCB and listing in foreign stock exchanges:

Indian laws treat the depository receipt as foreign direct investment.  The law permits denomination of securities in freely convertible foreign currency and can be floated abroad in countries like United States, European Union, Australia with less procedural requirement the respective countries regulators like Securities Exchange Commission.  The FEMA regulations read with Depository receipt mechanism provides for issue of securities abroad and conversion of the bonds/instruments in foreign currency into underlying equity shares with voting rights in India after a cooling period through various intermediaries like Overseas Custodian Bank, Domestic depository in India, etc… In certain cases, the Ministry of Finance and Department of Economic Affairs may be required in addition to the one-time and periodical reporting requirement under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations.

 

Myth buster on International Issue of securities through ADR/GDR/FCCB and listing in foreign stock exchanges:

Huge formalities involved as to lock-in period of securities, the limits on number of issues per year, the end-use restrictions & lot of regulatory approvals required!!!  No, the issue process is a plain vanilla procedure with simple conditions on issue expenses and two-stage reporting requirements like a foreign direct investment into India.  The value of money that can be raised as a tap issue or as tranches has no limit as per Indian laws.  Further, the amount so raised may be used for whatsoever purposes unless it is an instrument like Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB’s) where there is a restriction as applicable to External Commercial Borrowings (ECB).   Even further, the procedural clearance abroad for issues in alternate investment market of their country is relatively simple.

 

 

Caution point on International Issue of securities through ADR/GDR/FCCB and listing in foreign stock exchanges!!!

The compliance of requirements of Indian Company law as to issue of shares shall be duly complied with and necessary e-forms are filed with Registrar of Companies on time. The pricing shall be done based on the date of meeting as to the closing average high & low prices of shares in Indian Stock Exchanges.  Agreements with intermediaries shall be entered into.  Care should be taken while drafting the Offering Circular, the prospectus like offer document which should provide for all information that is required for an investor to take decision.  The prior approval of Reserve Bank of India may be required based on the sectoral cap under Foreign Direct Investment Regulations.  Also ensure the in-principle approval for listing is obtained from the stock exchanges for issue of securities in India.  Even the benefit of double taxation avoidance agreement can be enjoyed for depository receipts.  Ensure the RBI reporting shall be done promptly on 30 days of closure of issue and a quarterly reporting within 15 days.   

 

WATCH LAWLABZ VIDEO on  International Issue of securities through ADR/GDR/FCCB and listing in foreign stock exchanges in India!!! (Click Here):

 

At Lawlabz, we offer 360^O Personalized VIRTUAL Corporate Solutions by offering COMPLETE online legal support for your organization since its set-up as your entrepreneurial venture, during its management as a corporate entity or a manufacturing industry and closure of unwanted company’s which are not having any significant business of its own.

Legally Yours,

Happy Consulting with www.lawlabz.com

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Conversion into New Pricing Norms for FCCB on or before 15th August 2010 (ie) average 2 week high & low prices only like QIP under ICDR

A Scheme for issue of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds and Ordinary Shares (Through Depositary Receipt Mechanism) Scheme was notified in 1993 to allow the Indian Corporate sector to access global capital markets through issue of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB)/Equity Shares under the Global Depository Receipt Mechanism (GDR) and American Depository Receipt Mechanism (ADR). The Scheme has been amended several times since then.

What is FCEB?

Amendment: On or before 15th August 2010 (6 month period from 15th February 2010), the corporates have the option to revise from OLD CONVERSION PRICE norms to NEW CONVERSION PRICE norm (as below) for FCCB’s.  The said revision of conversion price is subject to the following conditions:

• Prior approval from RBI (PRBI) is mandatory.
• The issuing Company shall ensure that the revision of price and consequent issue of shares may not breach Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit (Sectoral caps) under Automatic or Approval route.
• The issuing Company shall take approval from its Board as well as from its shareholders (Board Resolution + Ordinary Resolution).
• The issuing Company shall enter into a fresh agreement with the FCCB holders in terms of re-negotiation of the conversion price.

Source: Ministry of finance Press Note F.No.9/3/2009-ECB dated 15th February 2010.

[Old Conversion Price]FCCB Pricing Norm prior to 27th November 2008:

Listed Companies – The pricing should not be less than the higher of the following two averages:

(i) The average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the related shares quoted on the stock
      exchange during the six months preceding the relevant date;

(ii) The average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the related shares quoted on a stock
       exchange during the two week preceding the relevant date.

The “relevant date” means the date thirty days prior to the date on which the meeting of the general body of shareholders is held, in terms of section 81 (IA) of the Companies Act, 1956, to consider the proposed issue.”

[New Conversion Price]FCCB Pricing Norm from 27th November 2008: similar to QIP pricing under ICDR

Listed Companies – The pricing should not be less than the average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the related shares quoted on the stock exchange during the two weeks preceding the relevant date; [avg 2 weeks high & low]
The “relevant date” means date of the meeting in which the Board of the company or the Committee of Directors duly authorized by the Board of the company decides to open the proposed issue.”

Source: FINMIN

[FEMA]BuyBack FCCB@15%/25% discount under Automatic/Approval Route now

Buyback / Prepayment of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) RBI/2008-09/317 A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 39 dated December 08, 2008 To, All Category - I Authorised Dealer Banks Madam / Sir, Buyback / Prepayment of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD Category - I) banks is invited to Regulation No. 21 of Part III and Schedule I to the Notification No. FEMA 120 /RB-2004 dated July 7, 2004, as amended from time to time, relating to FCCBs. Attention of AD Category - I banks is also invited to A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No.5 dated August 1, 2005, A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No.60 dated May 21, 2007, A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 4 dated August 7, 2007, A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 43 dated May 29, 2008, A.P. (DIR Series) No. 16 dated September 22, 2008, A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No.20 dated October 10, 2008 and A. P. (DIR Series) No. 26 dated October 22, 2008 relating to instructions / guidelines in respect of External Commercial Borrowings, which are also applicable, mutatis mutandis, to FCCBs. 2. Under the extant ECB Guidelines, AD Category - I banks are permitted to allow prepayment of ECB up to USD 500 million without prior approval of the Reserve Bank, subject to compliance with the stipulated minimum average maturity period as applicable to the loan. Further, existing ECB can be refinanced by raising a fresh ECB, subject to the conditions that the fresh ECB is raised at a lower all-in-cost and the outstanding maturity of the original ECB is maintained. The existing provisions for prepayment and refinancing will continue, as hitherto. 3. As announced in para 4 (v) of the Press Release 2008:2009/697 dated November 15, 2008, Reserve Bank has been considering proposals, under the approval route, from Indian companies for buyback of their FCCBs, provided the buyback is financed out of their foreign currency resources held in India or abroad and / or out of fresh external commercial borrowing (ECB) raised in conformity with the current ECB norms. 4. As announced in para 12 of the Press Release 2008-2009/842 dated December 6, 2008, the existing policy on the premature buyback of FCCBs has been reviewed and it has been decided to liberalise the procedure and consider applications for buyback of FCCBs by Indian companies, both under the automatic and approval routes, as detailed hereunder: A. Automatic Route: The designated AD Category - I banks may allow Indian companies to prematurely buyback FCCBs, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions set out hereunder : i) the buyback value of the FCCB shall be at a minimum discount of 15 per cent on the book value; ii) the funds used for the buyback shall be out of existing foreign currency funds held either in India (including funds held in EEFC account) or abroad and / or out of fresh ECB raised in conformity with the current ECB norms; and iii) where the fresh ECB is co-terminus with the outstanding maturity of the original FCCB and is for less than three years, the all-in-cost ceiling should not exceed 6 months Libor plus 200 bps, as applicable to short term borrowings. In other cases, the all-in-cost for the relevant maturity of the ECB, as laid down in A. P. (DIR Series) No.26 dated October 22, 2008 shall apply. B. Approval Route: The Reserve Bank will consider proposals from Indian companies for buyback of FCCBs under the approval route, subject to compliance with the following conditions: i) the buyback value of the FCCB shall be at a minimum discount of 25 per cent on the book value; ii) the funds used for the buyback shall be out of internal accruals, to be evidenced by Statutory Auditor and designated AD Category - I bank's certificate; and iii) the total amount of buyback shall not exceed USD 50 million of the redemption value, per company. Applications complying with the above conditions may be submitted, together with the supporting documents, through the designated AD Category - I bank, to the Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, ECB Division, Central Office, 11th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai-400 001, for necessary approval. 5. General Conditions In addition to the conditions set out above, the following additional conditions shall be applicable for the proposals both under the automatic and approval routes: (i) The FCCB should have been issued in compliance with the extant guidelines. (ii) The FCCB should have been registered with the Reserve Bank; the LRN number obtained and ECB 2 returns submitted up to date. (iii) No proceedings for contravention of FEMA are pending against the company. (iv) The right for buyback is vested with the issuer of FCCBs. However, the actual buyback is subject to the consent of the bond holders. (v) The FCCBs bought back / repurchased from the holders must be cancelled and should not be re-issued or re-sold. (vi) The buyback will not have any effect on the bond holders not opting for the buyback or on the non-participating bond holders of companies opting for the buyback. (vii) The Indian company shall open an escrow account with the branch or subsidiary of an Indian bank overseas or an international bank for buying back the FCCBs to ensure that the funds are used only for the buyback. 6. The existing requirement of submission of ECB 2 return will continue as hitherto. Further, on completion of the buyback, a report giving details of buyback, such as, the outstanding amount of FCCBs, book value of FCCBs bought back, rate at which FCCBs bought back, amount involved, and source/s of funds may be submitted, through the designated AD Category - I bank, to the Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, ECB Division, Central Office, 11th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai-400 001. 7. This facility will come into force with immediate effect and the entire procedure of buyback should be completed by March 31, 2009. 8. AD Category - I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned. 9. 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 is without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law. Yours faithfully, (Salim Gangadharan) Chief General Manager-in-Charge

[FCCB]Buy back upto USD 100 million under RBI Approval Route based on larger discounts

RBI/2008-09/461 A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No 65 dated 28th April 2009

The total amount of permissible buyback of FCCBs, out of internal accruals, is increased to USD 100 million (from erstwhile USD 50 million) of the redemption value per company, under the approval route by linking the higher amount of buyback to larger discounts. Accordingly, Indian companies may henceforth be permitted to buyback FCCBs up to USD 100 million of the redemption value per company, out of internal accruals, with the prior approval of the Reserve Bank, subject to:

Minimum Discount on Book Value	Maximum Redemption Value
25%	USD 50 million
35%	USD 50 to 75 million
50%	USD 75 to 100 million

To read all about FCCB, click here.

Like it, subscribe it now…to read at your inbox!!!

Now Buy Back FCCB till 31st December 2009

1. Attention of Authorized Dealer Category - I (AD Category - I) banks is invited to the A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No.39 dated December 08, 2008 on the captioned subject. In terms of Para 7 of the above circular, the entire procedure of buyback should be completed by the Indian Companies by March 31, 2009.

2. It has been decided to extend the date for completing the entire procedure for buyback of FCCBs from March 31, 2009 to December 31, 2009. Accordingly, the entire procedure of buyback should be completed by December 31, 2009.

3. All the other terms and conditions of buyback / prepayment of FCCBs as mentioned in A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No.39 dated December 08, 2008, shall remain unchanged.

For the status before this amendment, kindly click Prepayment of FCCB.

Click here for the said amendment RBI/2008-09/411 A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 58 dated 13th March 2009.

KnowLaw on FEMA Compliances, Event Based, Periodical returns to be filed based on the nature of transaction in India

Know Law

Labz Notification 10 of 2011

A written-cum-video initiative to know your corporate legal position as on date

Legal Queries???

What are restrictions in foreign inflow? What are the FDI compliances with RBI? What are the ECB compliances with RBI? What are the FCCB/GDR/ADR compliances with RBI? Is there any annual return with RBI like that under Company laws? What are the consequences of non-filing of returns with RBI? When you are falling under Automatic route of FEMA, is there any reporting requirement with RBI? What happens if the inflow is not under automatic route? Is SEZ mandated by RBI for such reporting? What is the reporting procedure? What are the legal requirements in India when foreign exchange is involved in a company’s capital account transaction?

Solution…

FEMA Compliances, Event Based, Periodical returns to be filed based on the nature of transaction

The compliances under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) arise, when there is an inflow or outflow of foreign exchange. When dealing with bank accounts situated outside India or in India, you might not realize the indirect effect on foreign exchange which mandate FEMA compliances. In India, most of the current account transaction mandates reporting arrangements, whereas certain capital account transaction require approvals from the Central Bank namely Reserve Bank of India.

FEMA being an ever changing law in India, the legalization of a transaction and its dealings is a voluminous task. The approvals, intimations & reporting have to be done keeping in mind the legal updated applied with practical skills. At Lawlabz we can facilitate the same for your company’s transactions. Read More...

Requirement under Indian laws on FEMA Compliances, Event Based, Periodical returns to be filed based on the nature of transaction in India:

Whenever there is an issue, allotment, transfer or conversion of shares, an intimation or approval may be required under FEMA as an event based compliance requirement. This can happen in situations where there is an increase in the shareholding of the company or on induction of new shareholders or an investment is made into the company abroad or when there is transfer of shares in which one party is an Indian or when loans (External Commercial Borrowings) are converted into equity capital. Further, whenever arises an event under FEMA, it comes with a obligation to submit periodical returns as well on a monthly basis for loans related dealing, quarterly basis for FCCB/ADR/GDR related overseas issues and on a annual basis for equity related dealings. Further, there are ceiling limits of 7 days/15 days/30 days/60 days/180 days for various compliances mentioned above. Even further, there is a requirement of certification of procedural compliance of the transaction by a Company Secretary and a certification on valuation of shares through Discounted Cash Flow method by a Chartered Accountant. Any delayed filing beyond the prescribed period also amounts to violation of law which can invite actions from RBI. Hence, in such cases, there is a option of voluntary compounding of offences by disclosing the offence to RBI.

Myth buster on FEMA Compliances, Event Based, Periodical returns to be filed based on the nature of transaction in India:

FEMA compliances are not a mere one-time requirement of reporting whenever there is a requirement of funding or investment or raising money in India or abroad but it goes beyond as a regular procedural requirement once, one of such transaction with a foreign country or foreigner is made. The entire business transaction shall be consulted with an expert as to its impact on automatic route or approval route and how it shall be proceeded with. It may happen, the transaction is under automatic route but as it is taken up by a large enterprise, it may fall under approval route that shall be duly considered. Whenever a foreign exchange transaction happens, it should be considered on a wholesome basis as to its requirements on foreign exchange laws, the accounting treatment of the transactions and the legality of it under the requirement of various corporate laws, industrial laws and sector-specific laws.

Caution point on FEMA Compliances, Event Based, Periodical returns to be filed based on the nature of transaction in India!!!

As the requirements of FEMA are constantly changing as updated by RBI, one shall take caution to ensure whether the reporting requirement on a particular date is in the latest prescribed legal requirement in India. The transacting Indian company shall be in regular touch with their Authorised Dealer (the bank in India) who is responsible for conversion of foreign exchange till the time the bank gets a final confirmation from RBI as to the satisfaction of the legal compliance requirement. The Joint ventures or foreign collaborations shall give due consideration of this legal requirement as this involves a hefty penalty of 3 times of the amount involved or to take the route of compounding to safeguard from violations.

WATCH LAWLABZ VIDEO on FEMA Compliances, Event Based, Periodical returns to be filed based on the nature of transaction in India!!! (Click Here):

At Lawlabz, we offer 360^O Personalized VIRTUAL Corporate Solutions by offering COMPLETE online legal support for your organization since its set-up as your entrepreneurial venture, during its management as a corporate entity or a manufacturing industry and closure of unwanted company’s which are not having any significant business of its own.

Legally Yours,

Happy Consulting with www.lawlabz.com

For Private Circulation Only. The copyright of this notification is retained by Lawlabz. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, this notification does not amount to opinion or consultation of any nature. One Pager

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Again an option to Buyback / Prepayment of FCCB under RBI Approval Route till June 2010

Buyback / Prepayment of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs)
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category – I (AD Category – I) banks is invited to the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 39 dated December 08, 2008 and A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 65 dated April 28, 2009 on the captioned subject. In terms of A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 58 dated March 13, 2009, Indian companies were allowed to buyback their Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs) both under the automatic route and approval route until December 31, 2009. The Scheme was discontinued with effect from January 1, 2010.

In view of the representations made by the issuers of FCCBs, it has been decided to consider applications, under the approval route, for buyback of FCCBs until June 30, 2010, subject to issuers complying with all the terms and conditions of buyback/prepayment of FCCBs, as mentioned in abovementioned circulars.

Accordingly, applications complying with the conditions may be submitted, together with the supporting documents, through the designated AD Category - I bank to the Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, External Commercial Borrowings Division, Central Office, 11th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Mumbai-400 001.

Source: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 44 dated 29th March 2010

DIPP Consolidated FDI Policy Circular 1 of 2010 wef 1st April and all Press Notes repealed, the legal edifice is built on FEMA RBI notifications (Master)

The system of periodic consolidation and updation of Indian Foreign Direct investment (FDI) Policy issued by Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) under Ministry of Commerce & Industry is introduced as an investor friendly measure (as assured by Finance Ministry in his recent Budget Speech).  The draft master Press Note was released for public comments which can be read from Download all Press Notes from 1991 to 2009 issued by DIPP as it proposes to consolidate PNs in 2010 to release a comprehensive FDI policy in India like Master Circulars with a sunset clause of 6 months

Now, it has been decided that from now onwards a consolidated circular (Master Press Notes or Consolidated FDI Policy or Circular 1 of 2010) would be issued every 6 months to update the FDI policy. This consolidated circular will, therefore, be superseded by a circular to be issued on September 30, 2010. (like you wait for RBI Master Circulars on 1st July every year).  While this circular consolidates FDI Policy Framework, the legal edifice is built on notifications issued by RBI under FEMA.

Press Notes are NOT applicable:

All earlier Press Notes/Press Releases/Clarifications on FDI issued by DIPP which were in force and effective as on March 31, 2010 stand rescinded as on March 31, 2010. The present circular consolidates and subsumes all such/these Press Notes/Press Releases/Clarifications as on March 31, 2010.  Enjoy reading the last press note, it won’t kill you any more.  Its just a single document hereon (making the life of a Corporate Legal Consultant easier and interpretations tougher).

Consolidated FDI Policy is APPLICABLE:

With effect from 1st April 2010, the Consolidated FDI Policy will be applicable.  It has the following important categories,

1. ORIGIN, TYPE, ELIGIBILITY, CONDITIONS AND ISSUE/TRANSFER OF INVESTMENT
2. CALCULATION, ENTRY ROUTE, CAPS, ENTRY CONDITIONS ETC. OF INVESTMENT
3. POLICY ON ROUTE, CAPS AND ENTRY CONDITIONS
4. AGRICULTURE
5. INDUSTRY, MINING, MANUFACTURING
6. SERVICES SECTOR
7. REMITTANCE, REPORTING AND VIOLATION/COMPOUNDING
8. ANNEXURES

• Annex-1 Form FC-GPR
• Annex-2 Terms and conditions for transfer of capital instruments from resident to non-resident and vice-versa
• Annex-3 Documents to be submitted by a person resident in India for transfer of shares to a person resident outside India by way of gift
• Annex-4 Definition of "relative" as given in Section 6 of Companies Act, 1956
• Annex-5 Report by the Indian company receiving amount of consideration for issue of shares / convertible debentures under the FDI scheme
• Annex-6 Know Your Customer (KYC) Form in respect of the non-resident investor
• Annex-7 Form FC-TRS
• Annex-8 Form DR
• Annex-9 Form DR – Quarterly

Definitions

CAPITAL
Means
Compulsorily, Mandatorily and Fully convertible
Preference Shares	Debenture Shares
and includes
DR’S	FCCB’s

Any many more interesting definitions, concepts, provisions, etc…

Download Circular 1 of 2010 on FDI Policy

You can buyback FCCBs now as time limit extended from June 2010 to June 30, 2011

On a review of the policy and in view of the representations received from the issuers of FCCBs, it has been decided to consider applications, under the approval route, for buyback of FCCBs until June 30, 2011, subject to the issuers complying with all the terms and conditions of buyback/ prepayment of FCCBs, as mentioned in Again an option to Buyback / Prepayment of FCCB under RBI Approval Route till June 2010

Source: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.07 dated 9th August 2010

FCEB made easy

FCEB made easy

What is FCEB?

Foreign Currency Exchangeable Bond is

• a Bond expressed in freely convertible Foreign Currency
• Interest and Principal of which is payable in foreign Currency
• Issued by an Indian company
• To overseas Investor who subscribes in foreign Currency
• Which on a later date can be converted into Equity shares of Offered Company

What are all the Eligibility conditions?

• Prior approval of RBI to be obtained

• Eligibility Conditions for the Offered Company
  • Offered company is a Listed company
  • Offered company is engaged in a sector eligible to receive FDI
  • Offered Company is eligible to issue FCCB or ECB
• Eligibility Conditions for the Issuer Company
  • The issuer shall form part of the Promoter Group of the offered Company
  • Issuer holding Equity Shares offered at the time of Issuance of FCEB
  • Issuer Company is not restrained by SEBI to access securities market
• Eligibility Conditions for the Subscriber
  • Entity not prohibited by SEBI from dealing in Securities
  • Subscriber comply with FDI Policy
  • Subscriber adhere to sector caps at the time of issuance of FCEB
  • Prior approval of FIPB obtained , wherever required

How the proceeds can be utilized?

• Can be invested in Promoter Group Companies
• Issuer company can invest in overseas by way of direct investment in Joint ventures or Wholly owned subsidiaries subject to FEMA Guidelines
• Promoter Group Company can utilize it according to the End Use Requirements applicable for ECBs
• Promoter Group Company shall not utilize the proceeds for investing in capital market or Real estate in India.
• Proceeds can be retained or deployed overseas in accordance with ECB policy

Conditions for Issuance?

v Rate of interest

• Rate of interest payable on FCEB and issue expenses incurred in foreign currency shall be within the ceiling prescribed by RBI for ECBs.

v Price

• The exchange price of the offered listed equity shares at the time of issuance of FCEB shall not be less than the higher of the -:

The average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the

related shares quoted on the stock exchange during the

(a) six months preceding the relevant date;

OR

(b) two weeks preceding the relevant date.

Relevant date-Date in which Board of Directors' passed the resolution authorizing the issuance of FCEB.

preceding the relevant date.

v Maturity

• Minimum maturity shall be 5 years for redemption

• Before that time holder can convert into shares of Offered company

• While exercising the option holder has to take delivery of shares and cash settlement is not allowed.

v Approvals Required

• Board Approval

• Shareholders approval, if applicable

• Offered company's Board approval

• Issuer company shall disclose the shareholding of the offered company to comply with respective provisions in SEBI Act, Rules, Regulations & Guidelines

v Other Conditions

• Issuer company shall not trade or mortgage or offer as collateral or trade offered securities till redemption or Exchange

• Issuer company keep the offered shares free from all encumbrances

Taxation Aspects?

• Interest till exercise subject to TDS

• Tax on dividend subject to Sec 115 AC of Income Tax Act

• Exchange of Bonds into Equity shares will not give raise to Capital Gains for computation of taxable income

• Transfer between Person Resident outside India to another Person Resident outside India will not give raise to Capital Gains tax in India.

Notified by Ministry of Finance, Dept. of Economic Affairs on Feb. 15, 2008 vide http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/capital_market_div/ExchangeableBonds.pdf