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Regards,
Chinmaya
On 12/17/10, pvr...@gmail.com <pvr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> You may furnish details and we could steer u friend.
> Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel
>
Regards,
Chinmaya
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel
ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERSEAS OFFICES BY INDIAN COMPANIES
In the globalised scenario where the Companies export products and/or execute projects abroad, it is inevitable for Indian firms and companies to open offices in foreign countries. Such offices can be doing trading activities or non-trading activities such as liaison work, marketing etc. The Indian firms and companies may post a representative abroad for promotion of their business.
Such companies have to comply with the laws of the foreign country where they are opening offices. Since opening office abroad involves by an Indian company the use of foreign exchange outside India, such Indian companies have to follow procedures prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.
The Indian companies can also participate in overseas Joint Ventures (J/V). "Joint Venture (JV)" means a foreign entity formed, registered or incorporated in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country in which the Indian party makes a direct investment.
They can also set up wholly owned subsidiaries (WOS) abroad."Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) "means a foreign entity formed, registered or incorporated in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country, whose entire capital is held by the Indian party.
Under automatic route the Company (Indian Party) can invest upto 400% of the net worth (paid up capital + free reserves) in the overseas JV/WOS. However if the investment is made through EEFC (Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency) Account the limit of 400% is not applicable. The investment has to be routed through normal banking channels and the same has to be reported to RBI in Form ODI in the stipulated time frame.
The approval of RBI is required in case of investment exceeding the above limit.
Note that under the automatic route there is no need to have track record in India before making the investment. That mean to say a new Company without having any past track records can make investment. But under approval route past track record is one of the criteria for RBI while considering the application. Start ups may not be in a position to get the approval of RBI.
No prior permission of Reserve Bank is required to open offices (trading or non-trading) abroad or post representatives abroad by Indian firms/companies.
The Indian firm/companies should submit applications to their bankers (authorized dealers) in form OBR along with the particulars of their turnover duly certified by their auditors and also a declaration to the effect that they have not approached/would not approach any other authorized dealer for the facility being applied for. The application form OBR needs to be filled in with necessary details along with supporting documents. After which the foreign exchange is released by the authorized dealer (bank).
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Foreign Exchange released by the Bank
Authorized dealers may release exchange towards initial expenditure as also for recurring expenses of the office as under, provided the applicant fulfils the following conditions: |
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Category |
Initial Expenditure |
Recurring Expenditure (per annum) |
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(a) |
EEFC Account(Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency account) |
No limit for remittances out of EEFC funds. |
No limit for holders remittances out Of EEFC funds. |
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(b) |
Firms/companies not having EEFC accounts or not having sufficient funds EEFC accounts. |
Up to 15% of the average annual sales / income or turnover during the last two financial years or up to 25% per cent of the net worth, whichever is higher. |
Up to 10% of their average annual sales/income turnover during last two years. |
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In the case of newly established 100% EOUs or Units in EPZs and Hardware/Software Technology Parks, exchange may be released as per their estimated requirements for initial as well as recurring expenses on verification of suitable documentary evidence during the first two years of their operation. From third year onwards, exchange may be released as per item (a) or (b) above. Thus for first two years such units can get more foreign exchange released than the limits for other Indian companies.
The recurring (expenditure) remittance facilities are allowed initially for a period of two years only, after obtaining confirmation form the applicant that they have completed all legal and other formalities in India and abroad in connection with the opening of trading/non-trading office or for posting a representative abroad. The renewal of remittance facility after two years may be granted, provided proper accounts of utilisation of foreign exchange released are furnished to the authorized dealer.
You may note that if you are a new Company you may not be able to get the approval of Authorized Dealer to open offices aboard.
The general terms and conditions for opening the offices abroad normally are:
Temporary Site/Project Offices Abroad
Indian firms/companies executing contracts/projects abroad with the approval of the appropriate authority are permitted under a general permission granted by Reserve Bank to set up site/project offices abroad provided that such offices are maintained out of project receipts and remittances from India are not required. These offices are required to be closed down and surplus foreign exchange earnings repatriated to India after completion of the project.
Credit facilities for overseas trading offices of Indian companies
Reserve Bank considers, on merits, request from Export Houses/Trading Houses/Star Trading Houses/Super Star Trading Houses to avail of fund based/non-fund based facilities for their trading offices abroad from overseas banks. Application in such cases should be made to the Chief General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Exchange Control Department (Export Division), Mumbai together with full particulars of the exchange facilities availed of for maintenance of the overseas office concerned, full details of terms and conditions subject to which the facilities are being extended by the overseas bank and the need for availing of the credit facilities by the overseas trading office.
Application for permission to post a representative
Establish office/branch overseas
· The application is to be made in form OBR to the Bank with supporting documents.
· The estimates of foreign exchange expenditure should be given in units of foreign currency and the appropriate rupee equivalent furnishing the exchange rate applied.
Documents to be submitted along with the Form OBR
Correspondence, if any, in original together with photocopies regarding the arrangement made in foreign country for posting of representative/establishment of branch/office.
Bank certificates, in form BCX (certificate of export), together with photocopies thereof for the immediately preceding four calendar half years in support of export realizations.