Foreign investors can buy government bonds via secondary markets now

Mumbai: Reserve Bank on August 28 eased norms for overseas investors for purchasing government bonds, giving them flexibility to acquire instruments via secondary market without the need for going through exchange-registered stock brokers.

"With a view to providing flexibility in regard to the manner in which government securities can be acquired by eligible investors, it has now been decided to remove any stipulation as to the manner of acquisition from the said regulations. "Consequently, the eligible investors can acquire such securities in any manner as per the prevalent/approved market practice," RBI said in a notification.

As per extant norms, Foreign Institutional Investors, Qualified Foreign Investors, Foreign Portfolio Investors and long term investors could buy government securities directly from the issuer of securities or SEBI registered stock brokers.