Exim Bank's USD 10.59 mn Line of Credit to Suriname
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/269 · issued 05 Nov 2008 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI notifies AD Category-I banks about Exim Bank's USD 10.59 million Line of Credit to the Government of Suriname, effective September 26, 2008, for financing eligible Indian goods and services, with at least 85% Indian content and specific timelines for LCs and disbursement.
The rule, in the simplest words
Exim Bank gave a loan of USD 10.59 million to the government of Suriname, so Indian companies can sell goods and services to Suriname.
At least 85% of the contract value must come from India (like from companies BEL, HAL, Ordnance Factory Board).
The last date to open letters of credit (LCs) and get paid is 48 months after a project finishes, or by May 15, 2014 for supply contracts.
No agency commission (extra payment to a middleman) is allowed under this loan; if needed, the exporter must pay from their own money after getting full payment.
Banks must tell exporters about this loan and ask them to contact Exim Bank for full details.
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore receives a call from an exporter asking about shipping machinery to Suriname. The officer explains that under Exim Bank's USD 10.59 million line of credit, the exporter must ensure 85% of the machinery's value comes from India, and no agency commission can be paid from the loan. The officer advises the exporter to contact Exim Bank's Mumbai office for the full terms.
What changed
Exim Bank signed a credit agreement with Suriname on May 16, 2008, effective September 26, 2008, for a USD 10.59 million Line of Credit. The LOC covers eligible goods and services from Indian companies like BEL, HAL, and Ordnance Factory Board, with at least 85% of contract value sourced from India. Last date for opening LCs and disbursement is 48 months from project completion or 72 months (May 15, 2014) from agreement date for supply contracts.
What it means for you
Banks must facilitate exports under this LOC by handling GR/SDF forms and remittances as per RBI instructions. No agency commission is payable under the LOC, but exporters can use own resources or EEFC balances for commission after full payment realization. AD Category-I banks should inform exporters and direct them to Exim Bank for details.
What you must do
Advise exporter clients about the LOC and its terms, including the 85% Indian content requirement.
Ensure shipments under this LOC are declared on GR/SDF forms as per RBI guidelines.
Allow remittance of agency commission only after full contract value realization, using exporter's own resources or EEFC balances.
Direct exporters to Exim Bank's Mumbai office or website for complete LOC details.
Who it affects
AD Category-I banks, Exporters dealing with Suriname under this LOC, Indian companies like BEL, HAL, and Ordnance Factory Board
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective September 26, 2008
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 11:43 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the minimum Indian content required under this LOC?
At least 85% of the contract price must be supplied from India; the remaining 15% can be procured from outside India, excluding consultancy services.
Can agency commission be paid under this LOC?
No agency commission is payable under the LOC itself, but exporters may use their own resources or EEFC balances to pay commission in free foreign exchange after full contract value realization.
What are the key timelines for this LOC?
The credit agreement is effective from September 26, 2008. For project exports, LCs and disbursement must be within 48 months of scheduled completion; for supply contracts, by May 15, 2014 (72 months from agreement execution).
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/269
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.29
November 05, 2008
To
All Category - I Authorised Dealer Banks
Madam / Sir,
Exim Bank's Line of Credit of USD 10.59 million
to Government of Suriname
Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has concluded an Agreement dated May 16, 2008 with the Government of Suriname, making available to the latter, a Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 10.59 million (USD ten million five hundred ninety thousand) for financing eligible goods and services including consultancy services from India in connection with purchases from Indian companies Viz. BEL,HAL and Ordinance Factory Board in Suriname. The goods and services including consultancy services from India for exports under this Agreement are those which are eligible for export under the Foreign Trade Policy of the Government of India and whose purchase may be agreed to be financed by the Exim Bank under this Agreement. Out of the total credit by Exim Bank under this Agreement, the goods and services of the value of at least 85 per cent of the contract price shall be supplied by the seller from India, and the remaining 15 percent goods and services (other than consultancy services) may be procured by the seller for the purpose of Eligible Contract from outside India.
2. The Credit Agreement under the LOC is effective from September 26, 2008 and date of execution of Agreement is May 16, 2008. Under the LOC, the last date for opening of Letters of Credit and Disbursement will be 48 months from the scheduled completion date(s) of contract(s) in case of project exports and 72 months (May 15, 2014) from the execution date of the Credit Agreement in case of supply contracts.
3. Shipments under the LOC will have to be declared on GR / SDF Forms as per instructions issued by Reserve Bank from time to time.
4. No agency commission is payable under the above LOC. However, if required, the exporter may use his own resources or utilize balances of his Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency Account for payment of commission in free foreign exchange. Authorised Dealer Category- l (AD Category-l) banks may allow such remittance after realization of full payment of contract value subject to compliance with the prevailing instructions for payment of agency commission.
5. AD Category-I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their exporter constituents and advise them to obtain full details of the Line of Credit from Exim Bank’s office at Centre One, Floor 21, World Trade Centre Complex, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400 005 or log on to www.eximbankindia.in .
6. The Directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Yours faithfully,
Salim Gangadharan
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/269 · issued 05 Nov 2008. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (AD Category-I banks, Exporters dealing with Suriname under this LOC, Indian companies like BEL, HAL, and Ordnance Factory Board), your first concrete step on “Exim Bank's USD 10.59 mn Line of Credit to Suriname” is: “Advise exporter clients about the LOC and its terms, including the 85% Indian content requirement.” (RBI issued this 05 Nov 2008).
Circular: RBI/2008-09/269 -- Exim Bank's USD 10.59 mn Line of Credit to Suriname
Issued: 05 Nov 2008
Action required: Advise exporter clients about the LOC and its terms, including the 85% Indian content requirement.
Action required: Ensure shipments under this LOC are declared on GR/SDF forms as per RBI guidelines.
Action required: Allow remittance of agency commission only after full contract value realization, using exporter's own resources or EEFC balances.
Action required: Direct exporters to Exim Bank's Mumbai office or website for complete LOC details.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=4618&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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