Reserve Bank of India liberalises overseas investment norms for telecom firms

April 01, 2010: Indian entities are permitted to invest in overseas unincorporated entities in the oil sector, up to 400 per cent of the net worth of the Indian company, under the automatic route.

As a measure of further liberalisation, Reserve Bank of India has decided, in consultation with the Government of India, to allow Indian companies to participate in a consortium with other international operators to construct and maintain submarine cable systems on co-ownership basis under the automatic route.



Accordingly, banks may allow remittances by Indian companies for overseas direct investment, after ensuring that the Indian company has obtained necessary licence from the Department of Telecommunication, Ministry of Telecommunication & Information Technology, Government of India to establish, install, operate and maintain International Long Distance Services and also by obtaining a certified copy of the Board Resolution approving such investment.

All such investments would be subject to the reporting requirements as prescribed under FEMA [Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of any Foreign Security) Regulations, 2004], as amended from time to time.





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