REC kickstarts public issue of bonds; to raise Rs 4,500 cr

"We are raising Rs 4,500 crore by the issuance of these tax free secured redeemable non-convertible bonds," said REC Chairman and MD Rajeev Sharma at a press conference.

The company which has targetted to raise Rs 30,000 crore during the current financial year ending March 2013, has so far raised Rs 22,000 crore through various instruments and even disbursed the same amount to borrowers.

These bonds are offering interest rates in the range of 7.22 per cent and 7.38 per cent annually.

The issue will remain open from December 3 to 10. The funds raised through this issue will be utilised for general lending operations of REC and associated business objectives.

A K Capital Services, Enam Securities Pvt Ltd, ICICI Securities, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company and SBI Capital Markets are the lead managers to the issue.

In the Budget 2011-12, four infrastructure finance firms were allowed to raise money through such bonds. IRFC and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were allowed to raise Rs 10,000 crore each, while Power Finance Corporation and Housing and Urban Development Corporation were allowed to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore each by March.

Meanwhile, REC further plans to raise USD 500 million through external commercial borrowings or ECBs and has initiated the process for that.

"We have invited bids for ECBs and whosoever offers the cheapest rates would be selected," Sharma said.

"We have already raised and disbursed Rs 22,000 crore of

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