Home > Business > PTI > Report
FinMin may clear IDBI's ECB soon
November 04, 2003 15:44 IST
The finance ministry will shortly give IDBI the go-ahead to raise $500 million through external commercial borrowings for the restructuring of steel and textile companies.
IDBI hopes to get the government's approval and raise the funds within this fiscal year.
IDBI plans to appoint one or more reputed foreign banks to arrange for the ECB at 1.75-1.85 per cent above Libor.
The move to go for cheaper sources of funds comes in the wake of IDBI's huge exposure in steel (about Rs 20,000 crore) and textile (about Rs 10,000 crore).
Although the government is discouraging ECBs above $100 million, the finance ministry had earlier cleared ICICI Bank's $300 million ECB as the bank would use it for ailing steel companies.
IDBI would be given the permission on similar grounds, ministry official said.
Apart from the ECB, the country's leading FI plans to hit the market with its tax-savings bonds soon after Securities and Exchange Board of India's clearance.
IDBI had already obtained umbrella approval from the finance ministry for raising Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion) -- Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) issue with a green-shoe option to retain another Rs 1,500 crore, sources said.