Exim Bank's $25 mn LOC to Democratic Republic of Congo
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/328 · issued 25 Feb 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI notifies AD Category-I banks about Exim Bank's USD 25 million line of credit to the DRC government for hand pumps and submersible pumps. At least 85% of contract value must be sourced from India. Last disbursement for supply contracts is August 26, 2015.
The rule, in the simplest words
Exim Bank gave a $25 million loan (line of credit) to the Democratic Republic of Congo government for buying hand pumps and submersible pumps from India.
At least 85% of the contract's value must come from goods and services made in India; only up to 15% can come from outside India.
For supply contracts, all money must be paid out by August 26, 2015 (72 months after the agreement was signed).
No agency commission (extra fee paid to a middleman) is allowed under this loan, but if needed, the exporter can pay it from their own foreign currency account after getting full payment.
Banks must tell their exporter customers 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 learns from this RBI circular that her bank can now process exports under Exim Bank's $25 million line of credit to the DRC. She calls her exporter client, Mr. Sharma, who sells submersible pumps, and explains that at least 85% of his contract value must come from Indian-made parts. She also reminds him that all shipments must be declared on GR/SDF forms and that no agency commission can be paid from the loan funds, only from his own foreign currency account after full payment is received.
What changed
Exim Bank signed a credit agreement with the DRC government on August 27, 2009, effective January 20, 2010, for a USD 25 million line of credit. This circular informs AD Category-I banks of the terms, including the 85% Indian content requirement and timelines for project and supply contracts.
What it means for you
Indian banks can now facilitate exports under this LOC, ensuring compliance with FEMA and RBI guidelines. The 85% local sourcing rule boosts Indian exports, while the no-agency-commission clause and specific disbursement deadlines require careful monitoring by lenders.
What you must do
Inform exporter clients about the LOC and direct them to Exim Bank for full details.
Ensure shipments under this LOC are declared on GR/SDF forms as per RBI instructions.
Verify that at least 85% of contract value is sourced from India before processing transactions.
Allow agency commission remittances only after full contract value realization and compliance with existing rules.
Who it affects
AD Category-I banks, Indian exporters to Democratic Republic of Congo, Exim Bank
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective January 20, 2010
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 07:27 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the purpose of this USD 25 million line of credit?
It finances installation of hand pumps and submersible pumps in the Democratic Republic of Congo, covering eligible goods, machinery, equipment, and consultancy services from India.
What is the last date for disbursement under this LOC?
For project exports, it is 48 months from the scheduled completion date of contracts; for supply contracts, it is 72 months from the credit agreement execution date, i.e., August 26, 2015.
Can exporters pay agency commission under this LOC?
No agency commission is payable under the LOC. However, exporters may use their own resources or EEFC balances to pay commission in free foreign exchange after full contract value realization.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/328
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.37
February 25, 2010
To
All Category – I Authorised Dealer Banks
Madam / Sir,
Exim Bank's Line of Credit of USD 25 million
to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has concluded an Agreement dated August 27, 2009 with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo making available to the latter, a Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 25 million (USD twenty five million) for financing eligible goods, machinery, equipment and services including consultancy services from India for the purpose of installation of hand pumps and submersible pumps in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 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 per cent 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 January 20, 2010 and date of execution of the Agreement is August 27, 2009. 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 (August 26, 2015) 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/2009-10/328 · issued 25 Feb 2010. 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, Indian exporters to Democratic Republic of Congo, Exim Bank), your first concrete step on “Exim Bank's $25 mn LOC to Democratic Republic of Congo” is: “Inform exporter clients about the LOC and direct them to Exim Bank for full details.” (RBI issued this 25 Feb 2010).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/328 -- Exim Bank's $25 mn LOC to Democratic Republic of Congo
Issued: 25 Feb 2010
Action required: Inform exporter clients about the LOC and direct them to Exim Bank for full details.
Action required: Ensure shipments under this LOC are declared on GR/SDF forms as per RBI instructions.
Action required: Verify that at least 85% of contract value is sourced from India before processing transactions.
Action required: Allow agency commission remittances only after full contract value realization and compliance with existing rules.
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 03 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=5514&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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