Shyamala Gopinath: Overseas investments by Indian companies - evolution of
policy and trends
Keynote address by Ms Shyamala Gopinath, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, at the
International Conference on Indian cross-border presence/acquisitions, Mumbai, 19 January 2007.
* * *
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be invited to deliver the key note address at this international
conference which is really topical and contextual for the present times and I thank the Bombay
Chambers of Commerce for giving me this opportunity. I particularly appreciate the organizers for
keeping the focus on host country perspective in regard to overseas expansion by Indian companies
and the participants will have the benefit of listening and interacting with experts on the subject.
Globalization and non-discriminatory multilateral trade have opened new doors for Indian corporates.
Earlier, there was an accent on inward flows - FDI, portfolio investments, joint ventures and
collaborations to tap the growing Indian market, and also technology transfers for enhancing
competitiveness of Indian firms. Exports were predominantly the main door to step out towards
globalization. Now, the scenario has changed. There is a growing realization that the future growth of
Indian companies will be influenced by the share that they can garner in the world market, not only by
producing in the country and exporting, but also by acquiring overseas assets, including intangibles
like brands and goodwill, to establish overseas presence and to upgrade their competitive strength in
the overseas markets.
The policy regime in respect of outward capital flows has accordingly evolved in spirit with the above
trend. In line with our calibrated approach to capital account, greater freedom is now available to
corporates to make remittances overseas for their overseas expansion. This is reflected in the
increasing global operations of Indian corporates in search of global synergies and domain
knowledge. Phased liberalization in the policy of overseas investments has enabled Indian corporates
to establish presence in overseas markets on an unprecedented scale redefining the global outreach
of Indian entities. Behind this push in overseas acquisitions lies a combination of forces - domestic
boom, competitive strength, access to credit, keen desire to achieve global scale and above all
selfconfidence about Indian business's ability to add managerial value on a global scale. As per data
available with RBI, during the financial year 2005-06 the total value of Indian direct investments
abroad was USD 2.7 billion, mainly accounted for by the manufacturing sector. I may hasten to add
that this figure doesn't reflect the actual acquisition value. Many acquisitions are taking place through
an overseas SPV set up to raise finances from international market and such transactions are not
captured in the overseas investment statistics.
Evolution of overseas investment policy
It would be interesting to trace the evolution of public policy in respect of liberalizing outward
investments, within the broader ambit of capital account management. Indian overseas investment
policies has been progressively liberalized and simplified to meet the changing needs of a growing
economy. The policy, which was evolved as one of the strategies for export promotion and for
strengthening economic linkages with other countries, has expanded significantly in scope and size,
especially after the introduction of FEMA in June 2000.
The evolution has taken place in a sustained manner and could be classified into two distinct phases:
the pre 2003 phase and the post 2003 phase. The first phase was export oriented and with restrictions
of cash flows from the country reflecting the need to manage capital outflows to conserve foreign
exchange resources. An important development during this phase was the transfer of work relating to
overseas investment from Ministry of Commerce to RBI in 1995 to provide a single window.
The pre 2003 policy regime
• In December 1969, the Govt. of India for the first time issued formal guidelines for overseas
direct investment. Indian parties were permitted minority participation in turnkey projects
involving no cash remittances.
•
In April 1978, an Inter-Ministerial Committee in the Ministry of Commerce was set up to clear
proposals for Overseas Investments. There was a requirement for repatriation of dividend of
50% of the declared profits.
•
In 1992 an Automatic Route for overseas investments was introduced, and cash remittances
were allowed for the first time. The total value was restricted to $2 million with a cash
component not exceeding $0.5 million in a block of 3 years.
•
In 1995 the work relating to overseas investment was transferred from Ministry of Commerce
to RBI in 1995 to provide a single window, while laying down a policy framework. In terms of
the policy, a fast track route was introduced where limits were raised from $ 2 million to $ 4
million and linked to average export earnings of the preceding three years. Cash remittance
continued to be restricted to $0.5 million. Beyond USD 4 million, approvals are considered
under Normal Route at the Special Committee level. Investment proposals in excess of US $
15.00 million were considered by MoF with the recommendations of the Special Committee
and generally approved if the required resources were raised through the GDR route.
•
In March 1997, Exchange Earners other than exporters were also brought under the Fast
track Route Indian promoters were allowed to set up second and subsequent generation
companies, provided the first generation company was set up under the Fast Track Route. A
series of measures to encourage the software industry in India to expand capacity, reduce
costs, improve quality and also invest abroad were put in place.
•
In 2000, the introduction of FEMA changed the entire perspective on foreign exchange. The
revised policies reflected this. The limit for investment up to US$ 50 million, which was
earlier available in a block of three years, made available annually without any profitability
condition. Companies were allowed to invest 100 per cent of the proceeds of their ADR/GDR
issues for acquisitions of foreign companies and direct investments in JVs and WOSs.
•
In March 2002, Automatic route was further liberalised wherein Indian parties investing in
JVs / WOSs outside India were permitted to invest an amount not exceeding USD 100
million as against the earlier limit of USD 50 million in a financial year. Also the investments
under the automatic route could be funded by withdrawal of foreign exchange from an AD
not exceeding 50% of the net worth of the Indian party.
Post 2003 regime
In March 2003, Automatic Route was significantly liberalized to enable Indian parties to fund to the
extent of 100% of their net worth, which was later increased to 200%. As per a recent FICCI study,
While India Inc's international acquisitions were rising gradually till 2004, the liberalization in the policy
regime for outward investment in 2005, which allowed Indian firms to invest in entities abroad up to
200% of their net worth in a year, triggered a sharp rise in cross-border acquisitions with the number of
acquisitions rising from 46 in 2004 to a whopping 130 in 2005.
Present framework
• Proposals for investment overseas by Indian companies/registered partnership firms upto
200 per cent of their net worth as per the last audited balance sheet, in any bonafide
business activity are permitted by ADs irrespective of the export/exchange earnings of the
entity concerned within this limit loans and guarantees by the parent company and
associates are also permitted. The condition regarding dividend balancing has been
dispensed with.
•
No prior approval of RBI is required for opening offices abroad. For initial expenses, AD
banks have been permitted to allow remittance upto 15 per cent of the average annual
sales/income or turnover during last two financial years or up to 25 per cent of the net worth,
whichever is higher. For recurring expenses, remittance upto 10 per cent of the average
annual sales/income or turnover during last two financial years is allowed. Within these
limits, ADs can allow remittance by a company even to acquire immovable property outside
India for its business and for residential purpose of its staff.
•
Partnership firms registered under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932 and having a good track
record are permitted to make direct investments outside India in any bonafide activity 200
per cent of their net worth under the automatic route.
I must mention that that the liberalization in the policy on overseas investments has been very much
informed by the detailed framework set out by the Government in 1995 when the work was transferred
to Reserve Bank of India. For the first time the framework articulated a cohesive policy in regard to
overseas investment policy, flexible enough to respond to likely future trends. To quote from the
guidelines, they reflected the 'need for transparency, recognition of global developments, capturing of
Indian realities and learning of lessons from the past'. The basic objectives of the policy, as laid out in
the notification, were as follows:
• recognising the link between trade and investment flows, to provide a framework for Indian
industry and business to access global networks.
•
to ensure that such flows, though determined by commercial interests, are consistent with
the macroeconomic and balance of payment compulsions of the country, particularly in terms
of the magnitude of the capital flows; and
• to give liberal access to Indian business for technology-sourcing or resource-seeking or
market-seeking as strategic responses to the emerging global opportunities for trade in
goods or services.
• to give a signal that there is a qualitative change in the approach of the Government, from
one of regulator or controller to one of facilitator.
•
to encourage the Indian industry to adopt a spirit of self-regulation and collective effort for
improving the image of Indian industry abroad.
Experience and trends
The overseas acquisitions, which started of on a small scale, have reached to globally visible levels
with big ticket acquisitions being announced by large corporates regularly. A report of the Boston
Consulting Group (BCG) on the emerging multinationals in the world puts 21 Indian companies among
the top 100 such multinationals. Only China with 44 companies is ahead of India. Tata group, Bharat
Forge, Infosys, Wipro, ONGC, Ranbaxy and such Indian companies are venturing overseas and
expanding at breakneck speed. Industrial goods, steel, automotive components, resource extraction,
beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, mobile communications, software and financial services are
some of the sectors where considerable interest has been shown by Indian corporates. The BCG
research has shown that 88% of the emerging market global players are driven by the need to gain
access to new markets and profit pools. Overseas markets are expected to bring higher margins,
revenue and volumes, besides opportunities for further growth. Energy security is another driving force
behind global acquisitions.
• Liberalised guidelines for overseas investment coupled with lower interest rate hitherto
facilitated Indian corporates to invest overseas
•
The capex undertaken by Indian industry coupled with buoyancy in economy has
strengthened the balance sheet of corporates enabling them to look for inorganic growth by
way of acquisitions outside India.
•
The confidence shown by the global business community, particularly, availability of foreign
funds at competitive rates and acceptance of managerial skills of Indian workforce has led to
surge in LBO activities.
• Another trend which is prominent in India's overseas investment is market access. By
undertaking overseas acquisition transactions, Indian corporates are gaining entry into
regulated market of developed countries. The best example is pharmaceutical industry,
where Indian corporates equipped with USFDA approved facilities are looking for acquisition
in the regulated market for ease of registration processes. The manufacturing activities will
still be in India entailing low cost advantage.
•
Transfer of technology is another issue driving for overseas investments. The manufacture of
certain products requires technology that is not available to the Indian companies. By
acquiring companies abroad, they also acquire advanced manufacturing technologies that
further help reduction in the cost of production.
•
Indian companies are also going abroad to obtain a new product mix or to acquire products
that will otherwise require huge investments and a long time to manufacture indigenously.
• Deployment of excess production resources or better yield on assets is another driving force.
The Indian corporates engaged in oil exploration / drilling / rig manufacturing are getting
good returns on their assets by deploying their assets in the companies acquired in the high
yield market.
•
Development of natural resources like mining, oil exploration etc. has given an opportunity to
Indian corporates, rich with cash and need for energy, to expand their wings in unchartered
territory.
• Post quota regime has also given an impetus to Indian corporates to look for overseas
ventures for enhancing their R&D and logistics to cater to developed markets. Indian textile
industry with scalable capacities to cater developed markets is feeling handicapped because
of logistics issue and delivery frame. However, with bases in and around the European and
US market, textile industry is capable of meeting its commitments as well as going for high
end designing studios to meet fashion requirements.
•
The IT industry, showcase of emergence of Indian economy, has its presence across the
globe by way of subsidiaries to cater to business in a particular region. The acquisitions
made by IT companies are primarily for backward or forward value addition in their product
profile.
Funding
•
Overseas acquisitions are funded through a variety of sources such as drawal foreign
exchange in India, capitalization of exports, balances held in EEFC accounts, share swaps,
ECBs/FCCBs, ADRs/GDRs, etc.
• A substantial portion of investments takes place through special purpose vehicles (SPVs) set
up for the purpose abroad. Existing WOS / JVs or the SPVs are being used to fund
acquisitions through LBO route and such transactions are not currently captured in overseas
investment statistics. The major investment destinations appear to be the US and European
markets. Tax havens like Mauritius and Cayman Islands also feature significantly in the
Indian acquisitions or setting up of new WOS/JVs.
•
In recent times, sustained growth in corporate earnings has boosted the profitability and
strengthened the balance sheets of Indian companies. This has, in turn, strengthened their
credit ratings and ability to raise funds overseas.
•
Unlike most international M&A transactions that typically feature stock swaps in the financing
arithmetic, Indian acquirers have for the most part paid cash for their targets, helped by a
combination of internal resources and borrowings. Share swaps have not yet emerged as a
favored payment option in India, except in a couple of large transactions in the software
industry.
Finance by Indian banks: As per existing instructions banks are not allowed to finance the promoters'
contribution towards the equity capital of a company as it should come from their own resources.
However, in view of the expertise in certain areas developed by Indian corporates over the years and
the importance attached to leveraging of such expertise for enhancing the international presence of
Indian corporates, w.e.f June 7, 2005, banks have been allowed to extend financial assistance to
Indian companies for acquisition of equity in overseas joint ventures/wholly owned subsidiaries or in
other overseas companies, new or existing, as strategic investment, in terms of a Board approved
policy, duly incorporated in the loan policy of the bank. Such policy should include overall limit on such
financing, terms and conditions of eligibility of borrowers, security, margin, etc. While the Board may
frame its own guidelines and safeguards for such lending, such acquisition(s) should be beneficial to
the company and the country. The finance would be subject to compliance with the statutory
requirements under Section 19(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
In April 2003 banks were permitted to extend credit/non-credit facilities to Indian Joint Ventures (JVs)
(where the holding by the Indian company is more than 51%) / Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (WOS)
abroad up to the extent of 10 per cent of their unimpaired capital funds (Tier I and Tier II capital),
subject to certain terms and conditions. On November 6, 2006, in order to facilitate the expansion of
Indian corporates' business abroad, it was decided to enhance the prudential limit on credit and
noncredit facilities extended by banks to Indian Joint Ventures (where the holding by the Indian company
is more than 51%) /Wholly Owned Subsidiaries abroad from the existing limit of 10 per cent to 20 per
cent of their unimpaired capital funds (Tier I and Tier II capital).
Role of EXIM Bank
Exim Bank has been involved in supporting Indian direct investment overseas since its inception and
its role has been unique in this regard, given its mandate. IDBI had first initiated a program of rupee
term loans to Indian companies towards their equity contribution in overseas ventures. The related
facilities extended by IDBI were taken over by Exim Bank on March 1, 1982 as part of the transfer of
export financing functions of IDBI to Exim Bank under the Export-Import Bank of India Act, 1981.
Subsequently, Exim Bank developed the program further and enlarged its scope from time to time with
the objective of facilitating Indian corporates' access to new markets and technologies, and thereby
enhancing their export capabilities and international competitiveness. The Overseas Investment
Finance (OIF) program of Exim Bank seeks to cover the entire cycle of Indian investment overseas
including the financing requirements of Indian Joint Ventures (JV) and Wholly Owned Subsidiaries
(WOS) with a suite of financing instruments, which include:
a. Loan against investment in share capital
b. Loan against Indian promoter company's loan
c. Loans to Overseas Indian Ventures
d. Mezzanine Finance
e. Non-fund based facilities to Indian Overseas Ventures
f. Direct Equity Investment
Banking presence overseas
It is not very surprising that in the very period when Indian companies have increased overseas
presence significantly, in parallel the operations of Indian banks overseas has also increased. There
are generally four forms of banking presence abroad, viz.
i. Representative Office
ii. Branch [including specialized branch like Off-shore Banking Units (OBUs)]
iii. Subsidiary and
iv. Joint Ventures.
The choice of any particular form of presence is guided mostly by the objective of the bank seeking
presence in a particular country/location, the laws and regulations of the host country and the cost and
return from the proposed venture, which in turn is a factor of regulatory prescriptions and business
potential.
As on December 31, 2006, nine public sector banks and three private sector banks have 113
overseas branches spread over 27 countries. Out of these, three banks viz. BOB (40), SBI (30),and
BOI (21) have got 80.5 % of the overseas branches. As regards geographical spread, Indian banks
have branch presence of 22 in UK, 9 each in Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji, 8 in Hong Kong, 7 in Sri Lanka
and 6 in USA.
In terms of total asset size, the operations of Indian banks overseas have increased by a significant
113.5% over the last five years i.e. 2002-06. As on March 31, 2006, total assets of all Indian bank
branches overseas stood at USD 29.34 billion.
Overview
To conclude, there is great dynamism amongst Indian corporates to globalize and in the years to come
we are going to have more Indian multinationals. These will include not only the large corporates but
also medium size corporates. Companies have to determine the most optimal method for funding
these acquisitions as this has implications for the domestic balance sheets of the Indian companies
and external debt profile depending on the source of funding. In case of investments financed through
debt in the books of domestic entity and/or against guarantees issued by the Indian entity, it could
involve a full or partial recourse to the Indian entity. In case there is recourse to the company, it is a
direct external liability of the company to that extent.
Indian companies appear to have so far balanced all these considerations and raised bulk of these
funds through LBO for large acquisitions which reduces the risk on the domestic balance sheet.
As regards external debt, the policy on ECBs allows ECBs for overseas acquisitions within the overall
limit of USD 500 million per year under the automatic route. The overall remittances from India and
non-funded exposures should, however, not exceed 200 percent of the net worth. In general, this
policy has served us well so far.
Another issue relates to capturing the data in respect of overseas remittances taking into account the
innovative funding structures being adopted in many cases. Accuracy and timeliness in reporting has
to be ensured to enable meaningful monitoring at our end. The requirements of compilation of BoP
statistics have to be kept in mind, in view of the significance of contribution of overseas investments.
We are working on revising the existing reporting formats, in consultation with some of the leading
corporates, to first, rationalize and simplify these and second, to make them e-enabled.
Thank you all and wishing the conference a great success.