Easing ECB norms for oil firms' $10 bn plan may not stem rupee fall: BofAML

Liberalising foreign borrowings for oil companies to raise to $10 billion will not have a "material" impact on arresting the slide of the rupee, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofAML) said on Thursday.

The government's earlier moves like tariff hikes on non-essential items were also "not significant either", the American brokerage said in a note.

"Liberalisation of public sector undertaking oilco ECBs (external commercial borrowings) up to $10 billion is not very material," it said.

The move announced on Wednesday evening will be partly offset by their reducing short-term forex credit, which it estimated at $15 billion during the fiscal.

The RBI "cannot afford" opening a special swap window for oil importers as is being speculated, it said.

The brokerage explained that pre-committing $8 billion a month for it over and above the $25-30 billion lost in interventions since April will push the overall forex reserves below the critical eight-month import cover mark.

It can be noted that a such a window was last opened in August 2013, during the last episode of a slide in rupee. It was followed up with an NRI bonds issue, which successfully arrested the slide as the diaspora put in $26 billion.

The brokerage voted for a similar move this time around as well to help the rupee.

It said $30-35 billion can be raised through a similar programme and stressed that it is better than a rate hike by the RBI or restrictions on gold imports.

The rupee closed at a new low of 73.34 against the US dollar on Wednesday, after brent breached the $86-per-barrel mark.

The domestic currency has shed over 12 per cent this year to be one of the worst performing currencies in the world.