Ans. Yes, provided the transfers/sales are arranged through an authories dealer. Units can, however, be repurchased directly by UTI. Ans. If such securities were purchased out of funds remitted from abroad or out of NRE/FCNR accounts, sale/maturity proceeds can be repatriated. Sale/maturity proceeds of securities purchased out of funds in NRO accounts can only be credited to NRO accounts and cannot be remitted abroad.

In terms of paragraph 4 of Schedule 5 under Notification FEMA.20 / 2000 RB dated 3rd May 2000, NRIs who purchase Government Securities/ units of Mutual Funds may sell such securities through registered stock broker through recognised Stock exchange or tender them back to the issuers for re-purchase or on maturity for repayment. Transfer to another NRI is not barred by FEMA, if the purchase of such securities / units was made on repatriation basis.

Yes, provided the transfers/sales are arranged through an authorised dealer. Units can, however, be repurchased directly by UTI. If such securities were purchased out of funds remitted from abroad or out of NRE/FCNR accounts, sale/maturity proceeds can be repatriated. Sale/maturity proceeds of securities purchased out of funds in NRO accounts can only be credited to NRO accounts and cannot be remitted abroad.

When a government brings a new issue of securities (treasury bills, notes and bonds) to the market for the first time it does so through the primary market. Government securities issued on the regional market are sold via the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) Ltd. Treasury Bills are sold on the regional market through a single price auction where the yield/price of the security is determined by competitive bidding by investors.

No. Authorised dealers have been permitted to undertake sale of Government securities/units on behalf of NRIs without prior approval of Reserve Bank. Sale/maturity proceeds can be remitted abroad if the original investment was made out of funds remitted from abroad or funds in NRE/FCNR accounts. Otherwise, they will have to be credited to NRO account of the holder. No. Transfer of shares/debentures of Indian companies by NRIs to other non-residents does not require permission of Reserve Bank.

Yes, NRIs are freely permitted to invest their funds in Government securities or Units of UTI through authorised dealers Units can also be purchased directly from UTI.

Government securities are financial instruments including treasury bills, notes and bonds that are issued by a sovereign and sold to the public. Backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing Government, these instruments are usually considered safe investments. Treasury Bills are short-term instruments issued with a term of one year or less. They are sold at a discount from face value (par) and do not pay interest before maturity.

The eight ECCB member countries (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Kitts and Nevis) have established a regional market for Government Securities, with the assistance of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The regional market allows all member governments to issue their securities throughout the member countries and beyond, allowing residents and non-residents to buy and sell the securities of their choice.

Persons wishing to purchase government securities issued on the regional market may do so by using the services of a broker/dealer that is licensed by the Securities Regulatory Commission and is a member of the ECSE. The names of intermediaries dealing in the government securities will be provided in announcements to the market. Intermediaries will submit applications for securities on behalf of their customers to the ECSE where the securities are sold.

Government securities usually provide a good savings option as they are generally risk free and provide a higher return than that which can be received from a regular savings account. Interest rates on treasury bills and bonds issued in the region generally exceed 3.00%, as compared to the rates on a three month fixed deposit offered by commercial banks, which may be lower. In addition, Government bonds are generally ideal for savings as they provide long term savings options.

Entities registered in India including banks, financial institutions, Primary Dealers, Partnership firms, Institutions, Mutual funds, Foreign Institutional Investors, State governments, Provident Funds, Trusts, Research organizations, Nepal Rashtra Bank and individuals can invest in government securities.

SGS Bonds are debt instruments issued by the Government of Singapore through the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). SGS comprises of Treasury bills and bonds. Treasury bills are bonds that have year to maturity of less than 1 year. Fundsupermart.com currently retails a range of SGS bonds with longer maturities.