To,

All Category - I Authorised Dealer banks

Madam / Sir,

Foreign investment in India is governed by sub-section (3) of Section 6 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 read with Notification No. FEMA 20/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time. The regulatory framework and instructions issued by the Reserve Bank of India have been compiled in this Master Circular. In addition to the above, this Master Circular also covers the following areas:

(iii) Investment in capital of partnership firms or proprietary concern which is regulated in terms of Section 2(h) of Section 47 of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, read with Notification No. FEMA 24/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000.

2. This Master Circular consolidates the existing instructions issued by the Reserve Bank of India through A. P. (DIR Series) Circulars and Notifications under FEMA, in respect of the above areas. The list of underlying circulars/notifications is furnished in Appendix.

3. This Master Circular will stand withdrawn on July 1, 2009 and be replaced by an updated Master Circular on the subject on that date.

Yours faithfully,

(Salim Gangadharan)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge