European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)

11-Jul-2018: India becomes EBRD’s newest shareholder

India has become the 69th shareholder of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), paving the way for more joint investment with Indian companies across the EBRD’s regions.

The Indian government applied for EBRD membership in December 2017. The EBRD Board of Governors, which represents all of the existing shareholders, voted unanimously in favour of the country’s application in March 2018.

India takes a shareholding in the EBRD but it will not be a recipient of EBRD financing.

The EBRD held its inaugural business forum in Mumbai on 22 June 2018, to mark India’s membership of the Bank. The conference, co-hosted with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and with the support of the Export-Import Bank of India, was held under the banner of: “Mobilising private sector finance in the EBRD region and how Indian companies can benefit”.

The EBRD has long worked with top-class Indian companies on investments in the EBRD’s countries of operations, which comprise 38 economies stretching across three continents. The Bank has cooperated with Indian enterprises on joint projects worth almost €1 billion, including investments with Tata, SREI, Jindal and Mahindra and Mahindra.

The EBRD is also working closely with leading Indian organisations, such as FICCI, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

2017

22-Nov-2017: Cabinet approves India's Membership for European Bank for Reconstruction & Development

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved India's Membership for European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD). Necessary steps will be initiated by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance to acquire the membership of the EBRD.

Impact:

Membership of EBRD would enhance India's international profile and promote its economic interests. Access to EBRD's Countries of Operation and sector knowledge.
India's investment opportunities would get a boost.
It would increase the scope of cooperation between India and EBRD through co-financing opportunities in manufacturing, services, Information Technology, and Energy.
EBRD's core operations pertain to private sector development in their countries of operation.
The membership would help India leverage the technical assistance and sectoral knowledge of the bank for the benefit of development of private sector.
This would contribute to an improved investment climate in the country.
The membership of EBRD would enhance the competitive strength of the Indian firms, and provide an enhanced access to international markets in terms of business opportunities, procurement activities, consultancy assignments etc.
This would open up new vistas for Indian professionals on the one hand, and give a fillip to Indian exports on the other.
Increased economic activities would have the employment generating potential.
It would also enable Indian nationals to get the employment opportunity in the Bank.

Financial Implications: The minimum initial investment towards the membership of EBRD will be approximately €1 (one) million. However, this assumption is based on India deciding to buy the minimum number of shares (100) required for obtaining the membership. If India were to buy a higher number of Bank shares, the financial implications could be higher. In-principle approval of the Cabinet at this stage is being obtained for joining the Bank.

Background: The issue relating to acquiring the membership of the "European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)" had been under consideration of the Government. With the country's impressive economic growth over the years and enhanced international political profile, it was considered appropriate that India should expand its presence on the global developmental landscape beyond its association with the Multi-lateral Development Banks (MDBs) such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and African Development Bank. The decision to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank (NDB) was taken earlier in this backdrop.