Overview
The Export-Import Bank of India, commonly known as Exim Bank of India, is a wholly government-owned financial institution that serves as the apex export financing agency in India. Headquartered in Mumbai, it provides financial assistance to exporters and importers, and functions as the principal financial institution for coordinating the working of institutions engaged in financing the export and import of goods and services.
Key facts
| Name | Export-Import Bank of India |
|---|---|
| Type | Statutory financial institution |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Founding statute | Export-Import Bank of India Act, 1981 |
| Commenced operations | 1 March 1982 |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Industry | Banking and financial services |
| Sector focus | Export and import financing, project exports, lines of credit |
Background
Exim Bank was established by an Act of Parliament, the Export-Import Bank of India Act, 1981, to provide financial assistance to promote India's foreign trade. It began operations in March 1982, taking over the international finance operations earlier handled by the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI). The bank was modelled on the export-import banks operating in several developed economies, with the objective of complementing commercial banks in financing cross-border trade and investment.
Functions and activities
Exim Bank's mandate covers a wide range of activities aimed at enabling Indian companies to participate in international trade and investment.
- Export credit: Pre-shipment and post-shipment finance to Indian exporters in rupees and foreign currency.
- Lines of Credit (LOCs): Extending sovereign-backed credit lines to overseas governments, regional development banks, and financial institutions for the import of Indian goods and services. Many LOCs are operated on behalf of the Government of India under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS).
- Buyer's credit and supplier's credit: Financing for foreign buyers of Indian capital goods and project exports.
- Project exports: Funding and advisory support for turnkey projects, construction contracts, technical services, and consultancy assignments executed abroad by Indian companies.
- Overseas investment finance: Loans and guarantees to Indian companies for setting up joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries abroad.
- Support for MSMEs: Schemes targeted at small and medium exporters, including export marketing services and grassroots initiatives.
- Research and advisory: Publication of working papers, occasional papers, and country studies on international trade and investment.
Governance and ownership
The bank is wholly owned by the Government of India. It is managed by a Board of Directors that includes representatives nominated by the Government of India, the Reserve Bank of India, the Industrial Development Bank of India, the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, scheduled commercial banks, and exporters. The Chairman and Managing Director is the chief executive of the bank.
Capital and resources
Exim Bank's resources are drawn from paid-up capital subscribed by the Government of India, market borrowings in domestic and international capital markets, lines of credit from multilateral and bilateral agencies, and deposits from public sector entities. It is a regular issuer of bonds in international debt markets and has issued instruments in multiple currencies.
Significance
Exim Bank plays a central role in India's external economic engagement. Its lines of credit have been a major instrument of Indian economic diplomacy, particularly in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, supporting infrastructure, agriculture, power, and connectivity projects in partner countries. The bank also contributes to the internationalisation of Indian businesses by financing acquisitions, joint ventures, and project exports, and supports export capacity building among Indian small and medium enterprises.
Subsidiaries and associates
Exim Bank has promoted and supported several institutions in the trade and investment finance space, including overseas representative offices in major commercial centres across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. These offices facilitate market intelligence, networking with foreign institutions, and project identification.
Related topics
- Reserve Bank of India
- Industrial Development Bank of India
- Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India
- Ministry of Finance (India)
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)
- Foreign trade of India
- Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme
- Banking in India
References
- Export-Import Bank of India Act, 1981, Government of India.
- Reserve Bank of India: publications on development financial institutions.
- Ministry of Finance, Government of India: annual reports and budget documents referencing Exim Bank.
- Wikidata entry: Q5420326.