New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) More than 860 fresh overseasinvestors were registered with Sebi in the first five monthsof 2017-18, driven by their continued interest in the Indiancapital markets, latest data from the regulator showed.
This comes on top of close to 3,500 new foreign portfolioinvestors (FPIs) registering with Sebi in the past financialyear.
According to Sebi data, the number of FPIs with theregulator's approval rose to 8,669 at the end of August 2017,from 7,807 at March-end, an addition of 862.
"The reason for increasing FPIs registrations iscontinued interest in the Indian equity, bonds and realestate. Besides, the end of the earlier FII/sub-accountsregime, which ended in September 2016, necessitated all suchentries to register as FPI," said Arvind Chari, head, fixedincome and alternatives, Quantum Advisors.
Furthermore, experts believe that several measures takenby the Sebi added to India's attractiveness.
Also, foreign investors have pumped in more than Rs 1.8lakh crore into the Indian capital markets -- equity anddebt -- during the period under review. This included Rs 1.44lakh crore in debt, with the remaining in equities.
In June, the board of Securities and Exchange Board ofIndia (Sebi) decided to ease the entry norms for overseasinvestors by permitting direct access to FPIs from eligiblejurisdictions.
Recently, Sebi raised FPIs' investment limit forgovernment debt, permitted them to invest in unlistedcorporate debt as well as securitised debt instruments andallowed direct entry to well-regulated foreign investors toinvest in corporate bonds.
In a big revamp, Sebi in 2014 released norms that clubbeddifferent categories of foreign investors into a new classcalled FPIs. They have been divided into three categories asper their risk profile and KYC (know your customer)requirements while other registration procedures have beenmade simpler.
They are granted permanent registration as against theearlier practice of approval granted for one or five years tooverseas entities seeking to invest in Indian markets. Theregistration remains permanent unless suspended or cancelledby Sebi or surrendered by an FPI. PTI SP ARDSBT.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
