Indian Depository Receipts ( IDR’s )

Companies outside India can raise capital from the Indian capital market with the Government notifying norms for issue of Indian Depository Receipts ( IDRs ). This has been stipulated in the Companies (Issue of Indian Depository Receipts) Rules, 2004 but there is not even a single company till date after 5 years listed as IDR and the main reason for this are.

1. Only strong overseas companies would be allowed.
2. Companies would have to have a pre-issue paid-up capital and free reserves of at least $100 million.
3. An average turnover of $500 million during the three previous financial years.
4. Company should have been making profits for at least last five years.
5. A dividend of not less than 10 per cent each year for last five years.
6. Have a pre-issue debt equity ratio of not more than 2:1.

With such a strong entry barriers many companies have preferred to remain out of India but current steps by Standard Chartered Bank could be well satisfying them and Indian Government also willing to make the rules a bit less stringent and we can hope for the best and this can change the way Indian stock market would shape in near future.