HomeCirculars › RBI/2010-11/309

Exim Bank's USD 42 mn Line of Credit to Congo for Hydro Project

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/309 · issued 10 Dec 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI notifies AD Category-I banks about Exim Bank's USD 42 million Line of Credit to the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo for the Kakobola Hydroelectric 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
How it plays out — a real example

Ravi, a senior export officer at a Mumbai bank, helps an exporter set up a letter of credit under the Exim Bank LOC for the Congo hydro project. He reminds the exporter that at least 85 % of the goods must come from India and that all shipments must be declared on GR/SDF forms. Ravi then arranges the LC, ensuring it is opened within the 48‑month deadline.

What changed

Exim Bank signed a Line of Credit agreement with the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo on August 5, 2010, effective November 19, 2010, for USD 42 million. The credit is specifically for financing the Kakobola Hydroelectric Power Project, requiring at least 85% of goods and services (including consultancy) to be sourced from India. The last date for opening LCs and disbursement is 48 months from scheduled completion for project exports, or 72 months from the credit agreement execution date for supply contracts.

What it means for you

Indian exporters can now access this LOC to supply eligible goods and services for the Congo hydro project, with a mandatory 85% Indian content. AD Category-I banks must facilitate related trade finance, ensure GR/SDF form compliance, and handle any agency commission remittances only after full contract value realization. This opens a structured export opportunity backed by Exim Bank's sovereign credit.

What you must do

Who it affects

AD Category-I banks handling export transactions, Indian exporters of goods and consultancy services for the Kakobola Hydroelectric Power Project, Exim Bank as the credit provider

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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 Line of Credit?

At least 85% of the contract price must consist of goods and services (including consultancy) supplied from India. The remaining 15% can be procured from outside India for the eligible contract.

Can exporters pay agency commission under this LOC?

No agency commission is payable under the LOC itself. However, exporters may use their own resources or EEFC account balances to pay commission in free foreign exchange, but only after full realization of the contract value.

What are the key timelines for this LOC?

The credit agreement is effective from November 19, 2010. For project exports, LCs must be opened and disbursements completed within 48 months from the scheduled completion date. For supply contracts, the deadline is 72 months from the execution date (August 4, 2016).

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/309 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 23 December 10, 2010 To All Category - I Authorised Dealer Banks Madam / Sir, Exim Bank's Line of Credit of USD 42 million to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has concluded an Agreement dated August 05, 2010 with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo making available to the latter, a Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 42 million (USD forty two million) for financing eligible goods and services including consultancy services from India for the purpose of financing Kakobola Hydroelectric Power Project in 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 including consultancy 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 November 19, 2010 and the date of execution of Agreement is August 05, 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 the case of project exports and 72 months (August 04, 2016) from the execution date of the Credit Agreement in the case of supply contracts. 3. Shipments under the LOC will have to be declared on GR / SDF Forms as per instructions issued by the 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 in 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 the 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, (G. Jaganmohan Rao) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/309 · issued 10 Dec 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (AD Category-I banks handling export transactions, Indian exporters of goods and consultancy services for the Kakobola Hydroelectric Power Project, Exim Bank as the credit provider), your first concrete step on “Exim Bank's USD 42 mn Line of Credit to Congo for Hydro Project” is: “Inform exporter clients about the LOC and direct them to Exim Bank for full details.” (RBI issued this 10 Dec 2010).

  1. Circular: RBI/2010-11/309 -- Exim Bank's USD 42 mn Line of Credit to Congo for Hydro Project
  2. Issued: 10 Dec 2010
  3. Action required: Inform exporter clients about the LOC and direct them to Exim Bank for full details.
  4. Action required: Ensure all shipments under this LOC are declared on GR/SDF forms as per RBI instructions.
  5. Action required: Allow agency commission remittances only after full contract value realization, using exporter's own resources or EEFC balances.
  6. Action required: Verify that at least 85% of contract value is sourced from India before processing transactions.
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6142&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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