SOFT LOANS IN INDIA

Soft loans refers to a loan with no interest or a below-market rate of interest. It is also known as “soft financing” or “consensual funding”, which have favourable terms, such as extended grace periods in which only interest or service charges are due and interest holidays. Soft loans offer longer repayment schedules than conventional bank loans.

Soft loans are often offered by multinational development banks, such as Asian Development Fund which is a part of the world bank, or federal governments to developing countries that would be unable to borrow at market rate.

Indian companies are opening up their products and services to global financial markets. More businesses in India are looking at loans to raise capital, owing to low interest rates. Businesses in India are seeking capital and investment from overseas at a more lucrative alternative of borrowing and financing with interest rates as low as 2.75% per annum (fixed for the complete tenure). Business companies in India require funds to expand their current business and this is where soft loans play an ideal role with its flexible characteristics and cheaper interest rates. The government of India offers soft loans to those projects which are considered worthwhile.

The following business entities are entitled to receive soft loan in India:

• Banks and financial institutions having involved in textile or steel zone restructuring packages permitted by the government of India.
• Financial institutions such as Exim Bank, IRCON (Indian Railway Construction Limited), IDFC (Infrastructure Development Finance Company), IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services).
• Business entities registered under Companies Act 1956.
• Any other business entities permitted by the Reserve Bank of India.

The businesses in India that are in the nascent stage should make use of soft loans made available by the government of India to grow these businesses which will help in the overall developments of the nation.