RBI issues draft proposals to liberalise overseas investments norms

The Reserve Bank on Monday issued draft guidelines to further liberalise regulatory framework governing overseas investments to promote ease of doing business.

The RBI has placed on its website two documents — draft Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments – Overseas Investment) Rules, 2021, and draft Foreign Exchange Management (Overseas Investment) Regulations, 2021.

Overseas investments and acquisition of immovable properties outside India by persons resident in India are presently governed by the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of any Foreign Security) Regulations, 2004 and Foreign Exchange Management (Acquisition and Transfer of Immovable Property Outside India) Regulations 2015, respectively.

“With a view to further liberalise regulatory framework and also to promote ease of doing business, it has been decided to rationalise the existing provisions governing overseas investment,” the Reserve Bank said.

The rules and regulations will be finalised after public consultations, it added.

The Reserve Bank has sought comments and feedback from stakeholders on the two drafts by August 23, 2021.

The Draft Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments – Overseas Investment) Rules, 2021 has outlined the restrictions on overseas investments.