Exim Bank's $50 mn Line of Credit to Zambia for Hydro Project
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/358 · issued 25 Mar 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI notifies AD Category-I banks about Exim Bank's USD 50 million Line of Credit to Zambia for the Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power project. At least 85% of contract value must be sourced from India. Banks must guide exporters on GR/SDF forms and commission rules.
The rule, in the simplest words
Exim Bank gave a $50 million loan to Zambia for a hydro power project (making electricity from water).
At least 85% of the project's goods and services must come from India (buy Indian stuff).
Exporters must fill out GR/SDF forms (special export papers) for shipments under this loan.
No commission (extra payment) is allowed for agents, unless the exporter pays from their own foreign currency savings after getting full payment.
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore tells an exporter client about the new $50 million loan for Zambia's hydro project. The officer explains that the exporter must source at least 85% of the contract value from India and fill out GR/SDF forms for each shipment. The officer also reminds the exporter that no agency commission is allowed, but if needed, the exporter can use their own foreign currency account after full payment is received.
What changed
Exim Bank signed a Line of Credit agreement with Zambia on January 6, 2010, effective March 4, 2010, for USD 50 million to finance the Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power project. The circular outlines the sourcing requirement (85% from India), timelines for LCs and disbursement, and commission payment rules.
What it means for you
Indian exporters can now access this LOC to supply goods and services for the Zambia hydro project, with a mandatory 85% local content. AD banks must ensure compliance with GR/SDF form declarations and the no-agency-commission rule, though exporters can use their own EEFC funds for commissions if needed.
What you must do
Inform exporter clients about the LOC and its 85% India-sourcing requirement.
Ensure shipments under this LOC are declared on GR/SDF forms as per RBI instructions.
Allow remittance of agency commission only after full contract payment is realized, using exporter's own resources or EEFC balances.
Advise exporters to contact Exim Bank for full LOC details.
Who it affects
AD Category-I banks, Indian exporters of goods and services, Exim Bank
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective March 4, 2010
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 07:11 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the minimum India-sourcing requirement under this LOC?
At least 85% of the contract price must be supplied from India; the remaining 15% (excluding consultancy) can be procured from outside India.
What are the key timelines for this LOC?
The credit agreement is effective from March 4, 2010. For project exports, LCs must be opened and disbursed within 48 months of scheduled completion; for supply contracts, within 72 months from the agreement date (January 5, 2016).
Can agency commission be paid 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 payment is realized.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/358
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 42
March 25, 2010
To
All Category - I Authorised Dealer Banks
Madam / Sir,
Exim Bank's Line of Credit of USD 50 million
to the Government of the Republic of Zambia
Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has concluded an Agreement dated January 6, 2010 with the Government of the Republic of Zambia making available to the latter, a Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 50 million (USD fifty million) for financing eligible goods and services including consultancy services from India for Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power project in Zambia. 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 March 4, 2010 and date of execution of Agreement is January 6, 2010. 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 (January 5, 2016) 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. 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/2009-10/358 · issued 25 Mar 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 of goods and services, Exim Bank), your first concrete step on “Exim Bank's $50 mn Line of Credit to Zambia for Hydro Project” is: “Inform exporter clients about the LOC and its 85% India-sourcing requirement.” (RBI issued this 25 Mar 2010).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/358 -- Exim Bank's $50 mn Line of Credit to Zambia for Hydro Project
Issued: 25 Mar 2010
Action required: Inform exporter clients about the LOC and its 85% India-sourcing requirement.
Action required: Ensure shipments under this LOC are declared on GR/SDF forms as per RBI instructions.
Action required: Allow remittance of agency commission only after full contract payment is realized, using exporter's own resources or EEFC balances.
Action required: Advise exporters to contact Exim Bank for full 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 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=5544&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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