Ashok Leyland concludes USD 200 million ECB Loan

Mumbai, Mar 26 (UNI) Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group, has concluded an External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) programme of 200 million USD.

This is the largest ever loan taken by the Company in a single transaction till date.

The loan will partly fund requirements of the Company to meet its expansion plans and overseas investments, a release said.

As per the guidelines of RBI in vogue, companies can use the proceeds of ECB only for meeting forex requirements for capital expenditure and other overseas investment purposes.

Mr K Sridharan, Chief Financial Officer, said "This deal is significant for the Company in many ways. Meant to meet the Company's funding requirements, the deal got successfully completed at a time when the global financial markets are in turmoil''.

The funds would be drawn over the permitted period and the Company would be taking necessary hedging measures to protect itself from the vagaries of exchange markets.

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