HomeCirculars › RBI/2021-2022/103

Exim Bank USD 100 mn LoC to Sri Lanka for Solar Energy

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-2022/103 · issued 30 Sep 2021 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI notified a USD 100 million Government of India-supported Line of Credit from Exim Bank to Sri Lanka for solar energy projects. At least 75% of contract value must be sourced from India. AD Category-I banks must facilitate exports under this LoC with no agency commission from LoC funds.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore helps a solar panel exporter check the new loan rules. The exporter wants to sell panels to Sri Lanka under this 100 million dollar loan. The officer reminds him that 75% of the contract value must come from Indian-made parts, and no agent commission can come from the loan funds—only from his own pocket after the sale is complete.

What changed

Exim Bank signed an agreement on March 16, 2021, with Sri Lanka for a USD 100 million LoC for solar energy projects, effective September 13, 2021. The circular outlines the India content requirement (minimum 75% of contract price) and allows up to 10% reduction with government approval. It also specifies that no agency commission is payable from LoC proceeds, though exporters may use own resources or EEFC balances for commission after export realization.

What it means for you

Banks must ensure that exports under this LoC comply with the 75% India content rule and that shipments are declared on Export Declaration Forms as per RBI instructions. AD Category-I banks can allow remittance of agency commission only from exporter's own resources or EEFC accounts after full export value realization, not from LoC funds. This facilitates Indian solar equipment exports to Sri Lanka with clear compliance requirements.

What you must do

Who it affects

AD Category-I banks handling export transactions under this LoC, Indian exporters of solar energy goods and services to Sri Lanka, Exim Bank as the LoC administering institution

❓ 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 India content required under this LoC?

At least 75% of the contract price must be supplied from India. Exim Bank may reduce this by up to 10% with Government of India approval on a case-by-case basis.

Can agency commission be paid from the LoC proceeds?

No, agency commission is not payable from LoC funds. Exporters may use their own resources or balances in their Exchange Earners' Foreign Currency Account for commission after full export value realization.

What is the effective date and utilization period for this LoC?

The agreement is effective from September 13, 2021. The terminal utilization period is 60 months from the scheduled completion date specified in the eligible contract.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2021-2022/103 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.15 September 30, 2021 All Category – I Authorised Dealer Banks Madam/Sir Exim Bank's Government of India supported Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 100 million to the Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has entered into an agreement dated March 16, 2021 with the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Borrower), for making available to the latter, Government of India supported Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 100 million (USD One Hundred Million only) for the purpose of financing projects in the Solar Energy Sector in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Under the arrangement, financing of export of eligible goods and services from India, as defined under the agreement, would be allowed subject to their being 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 the agreement, goods, works and services of the value of at least 75 per cent of the contract price shall be supplied by the seller from India, and the remaining 25 per cent of goods and services may be procured by the seller for the purpose of the eligible contract from outside India. Provided however at the request of the borrower and with the approval of the Government of India, Exim Bank may consider reduction in the India content not exceeding 10% of contract price on a case to case basis. Provided further that such view/consent of Government of India be obtained before a project procurement is initiated and the said goods or services shall not be from a country other than that of the Borrower or India. 2. The Agreement under the LoC is effective from September 13, 2021. Under the LoC, the terminal utilization period is 60 months from the scheduled completion date of specified in the eligible contract. 3. Shipments under the LoC shall be declared in Export Declaration Form as per instructions issued by the Reserve Bank from time to time. 4. No agency commission is payable for export 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 (AD) Category- I banks may allow such remittance after realization of full eligible value of export subject to compliance with the extant 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 complete details of the LoC from the Exim Bank’s office at Centre One, Floor 21, World Trade Centre Complex, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400 005 or from their website www.eximbankindia.in 6. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under section 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 (R. S. Amar) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-2022/103 · issued 30 Sep 2021. 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 under this LoC, Indian exporters of solar energy goods and services to Sri Lanka, Exim Bank as the LoC administering institution), your first concrete step on “Exim Bank USD 100 mn LoC to Sri Lanka for Solar Energy” is: “Advise exporter constituents about the LoC details and direct them to Exim Bank for complete information.” (RBI issued this 30 Sep 2021).

  1. Circular: RBI/2021-2022/103 -- Exim Bank USD 100 mn LoC to Sri Lanka for Solar Energy
  2. Issued: 30 Sep 2021
  3. Action required: Advise exporter constituents about the LoC details and direct them to Exim Bank for complete information.
  4. Action required: Ensure that exports under this LoC meet the minimum 75% India content requirement and any approved reductions.
  5. Action required: Verify that no agency commission is paid from LoC proceeds; allow commission only from exporter's own resources or EEFC after full export realization.
  6. Action required: Ensure shipments are declared on Export Declaration Forms as per extant RBI instructions.
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. 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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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12170&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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