Masala bonds
# Masala bonds

Masala bonds are bonds issued outside India but denominated in Indian Rupees, rather than the local currency. Masala is a Hindi word meaning spices. The term was used by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to evoke the culture and cuisine of India. Unlike dollar bonds, where the borrower takes the currency risk, Masala bonds makes the investors bear the risk. The first Masala bond was issued by the World Bank-backed IFC in November 2014 when it raised 1,000 ₹10million bonds to fund infrastructure projects in India. Later in August 2015 International Financial Cooperation for the first time issued green masala bonds and raised ₹3.15 Billion to be used for private sector investments that address climate change in India.

In July 2016 HDFC raised ₹30 billion from Masala bonds and thereby became the first Indian company to issue masala bonds. In the month of August 2016 public sector unit NTPC issued first corporate green masala bonds worth ₹20 billion.

