23 Apr 2012

FDI In Commodity Exchanges Sector Of India Under Consolidated FDI Policy Of India 2012

This is in continuance of our series on Consolidated FDI Policy of India 2012 by DIPP. In this article Perry4Law and Perry4Law Techno Legal Base (PTLB) would discuss the FDI in commodity exchanges sector of India under the consolidated FDI policy of India 2012.

(1) Futures trading in commodities are regulated under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952. Commodity Exchanges, like Stock Exchanges, are infrastructure companies in the commodity futures market. With a view to infuse globally acceptable best practices, modern management skills and latest technology, it was decided to allow foreign investment in Commodity Exchanges.

(2) For the purposes of this chapter/article,

(i) Commodity Exchange is a recognised association under the provisions of the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952, as amended from time to time, to provide exchange platform for trading in forward contracts in commodities.

(ii) Recognised association means an association to which recognition for the time being has been granted by the Central Government under Section 6 of the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952

(iii) Association means any body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, constituted for the purposes of regulating and controlling the business of the sale or purchase of any goods and commodity derivative.

(iv) Forward contract means a contract for the delivery of goods and which is not a ready delivery contract.

(v) Commodity derivative means-

(a) A contract for delivery of goods, which is not a ready delivery contract; or

(b) A contract for differences which derives its value from prices or indices of prices of such underlying goods or activities, services, rights, interests and events, as may be notified in consultation with the Forward Markets Commission by the Central Government, but does not include securities.

FDI in commodity exchanges is allowed up to 49% (FDI & FII) [Investment by Registered FII under Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) will be limited to 23% and Investment under FDI Scheme limited to 26% ] through government approval route (FDI).

The other conditions in this regard are as follow:

(i) FII purchases shall be restricted to secondary market only and

(ii) No non-resident investor/ entity, including persons acting in concert, will hold more than 5% of the equity in these companies.