Govt readies norms for GIFT exchanges

KYC norms to be modelled on SGX, LSE; exchanges may function 24/7, five days a week; trading of masala bonds to be allowed

The government is firming up regulations for the international stock exchanges to be set up in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT).

These exchanges may be operational for 24 hours facilitating market participants to carry out arbitrage between products of various exchanges across the world, according to recent discussions carried out between regulators, brokers and exchanges.

The products to be traded will include currency, commodity and equity derivatives, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as well as international & domestic mutual funds. Products such as quanto futures and masala bonds may also be allowed.

Currently not traded on Indian exchanges, quanto futures and options are cash settled derivatives in which the underlying traded product is denominated in a foreign currency that is settled in another domestic currency at a fixed exchange rate. Several Indian firms have raised funds this year through rupee-dominated masala bonds on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX).

According to sources, there won't be any cash market, to begin with as depositories do not have the necessary infrastructure right now to handle such trades. The cash market accounts for less than 10% of total turnover on Indian stock exchanges right now.

The KYC (know your customer) norms may be modelled on exchanges such as SGX or LSE. "Pegging KYC, as well as outward and inward remittances norms on the lines of a London-like model, would be a progressive move as it is one of the most competitive financial centres with good depth and breadth of business activity and stable policies to boot," said Sumit Agrawal, ex-Sebi official & partner, Suvan Law Advisors.

The preliminary norms also say that the GIFT exchanges will have to approach the Sebi for offsetting arrangement approvals and the investor protection of home country (India) will be applicable for disputes, particularly for the countries in Financial Action Task Force — an inter-governmental body established in 1989 by the Ministers of 30 member countries including the US, UK, Australia, China, Germany, India, Singapore and South Africa. Unresolved grievances will be referred to arbitration and third-party arbitrators such as Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) may be used for the purpose.

SIAC has signed a memorandum of agreement with GIFT and GIFT SEZ (Special Economic Zone). The exchanges in the GIFT City will benefit from various tax sops given by the government, including exemptions from stamp duty, as well as commodity and securities transactions tax (STT). "STT is one of the biggest sore points for investors participating in derivatives trading and the new exchange will eliminate that. A lot of Indian traders dealing in equity derivatives from Singapore and Dubai may be tempted to set up desks here," said a broker, on condition of anonymity.

Several emerging IFSCs (International Financial Services Centres) around the world, such as Shanghai and Dubai, are aspiring to play a global role in the years to come. London, New York and Singapore are among the global financial centres.