RBI Extends Rupee Drawing Arrangements to Malaysia
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/160 · issued 29 Aug 2011 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows AD Category-I banks to open Rupee Vostro accounts for Exchange Houses in Malaysia under Speed Remittance procedures, expanding the earlier scope limited to Gulf countries, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks can now take money from Malaysia to India using a special fast method called Speed Remittance.
Before, this fast method only worked for money coming from Gulf countries, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Banks must check that Exchange Houses in Malaysia follow all the same rules as other countries.
This change helps people send money from Malaysia to India faster and cheaper.
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore receives a call from a customer who has a relative working in Malaysia. The officer explains that the bank now offers a fast, low-cost way to send money from Malaysia to India through approved Exchange Houses, making it easier for the customer to receive funds for a family wedding.
What changed
Previously, Rupee Drawing Arrangements (RDAs) for inward remittances via Exchange Houses were permitted only in Gulf countries, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This circular extends RDAs under Speed Remittance procedures to Exchange Houses in Malaysia. All other existing instructions remain unchanged.
What it means for you
Banks can now facilitate faster, lower-cost inward remittances from Malaysia through Exchange Houses, potentially increasing remittance volumes. This expansion requires banks to update their internal policies and ensure compliance with the existing RDA framework for the new jurisdiction.
What you must do
Update internal guidelines to include Malaysia under Rupee Drawing Arrangements for Speed Remittance procedures.
Ensure Exchange Houses in Malaysia meet all existing due diligence and documentation requirements as per earlier circulars.
Train staff on the new jurisdiction and maintain records of transactions under the expanded RDA.
Notify constituents about the availability of remittance services from Malaysia through Exchange Houses.
Who it affects
AD Category-I banks, Exchange Houses in Malaysia, Remittance customers sending money from Malaysia to India
❓ Common questions
What is the Rupee Drawing Arrangement (RDA)?
RDA is a mechanism allowing Exchange Houses abroad to facilitate inward remittances to India by maintaining Rupee Vostro accounts with AD Category-I banks, subject to RBI approval.
Does this circular apply to all types of remittances from Malaysia?
No, it applies only to Speed Remittance procedures under RDA. Other types of remittances or arrangements remain governed by existing instructions.
Do banks need fresh RBI approval for each Exchange House in Malaysia?
The circular extends the arrangement to Malaysia, but banks must still comply with prior approval requirements as specified in the original 2008 circular and subsequent amendments.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/160
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.09
A.P.(FL/RL Series) Circular No.01
August 29, 2011
To
All Authorised Dealer Category-I Banks
Madam / Sir,
Opening and Maintenance of Rupee / Foreign Currency Vostro Accounts
of Non-resident Exchange Houses
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to the A.P.(DIR Series) No.28 [A.P(FL/RL Series) Circular No.02] dated February 06, 2008 on the Memorandum of instructions for Opening and Maintenance of Rupee/ Foreign Currency Vostro accounts of Non-resident Exchange Houses and the subsequent amendments thereto.
2. In terms of para (A) (1) of Annex-I of the afore-mentioned circular, under the Rupee Drawing Arrangements (RDAs), inward remittances for permissible purposes are received in India through Exchange Houses situated in Gulf countries, Hong Kong and Singapore, with prior approval of the Reserve Bank. With a view to extending the scope of the said Arrangement to other jurisdictions, it has been decided to extend the Rupee Drawing Arrangements (RDAs) only under the Speed Remittance procedures to Exchange Houses situated in Malaysia.
3. The other instructions issued vide the above mentioned circular, as amended from time to time remain unchanged.
4. AD Category-I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.
5. 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,
Dr.(Smt.) Sujatha Elizabeth Prasad
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/160 · issued 29 Aug 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Train staff on the new jurisdiction and maintain records of transactions under the expanded RDA.
📜 Compliance
Update internal guidelines to include Malaysia under Rupee Drawing Arrangements for Speed Remittance procedures.
Ensure Exchange Houses in Malaysia meet all existing due diligence and documentation requirements as per earlier circulars.
Notify constituents about the availability of remittance services from Malaysia through Exchange Houses.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (AD Category-I banks, Exchange Houses in Malaysia, Remittance customers sending money from Malaysia to India), your first concrete step on “RBI Extends Rupee Drawing Arrangements to Malaysia” is: “Update internal guidelines to include Malaysia under Rupee Drawing Arrangements for Speed Remittance procedures.” (RBI issued this 29 Aug 2011).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/160 -- RBI Extends Rupee Drawing Arrangements to Malaysia
Issued: 29 Aug 2011
Action required: Update internal guidelines to include Malaysia under Rupee Drawing Arrangements for Speed Remittance procedures.
Action required: Ensure Exchange Houses in Malaysia meet all existing due diligence and documentation requirements as per earlier circulars.
Action required: Train staff on the new jurisdiction and maintain records of transactions under the expanded RDA.
Action required: Notify constituents about the availability of remittance services from Malaysia through Exchange Houses.
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.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
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=6688&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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