RIL acquires US $400 million loan for ambitious petrochemicals project

<p>Taking one more step towards realizing its global ambitions, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has cited plans for expanding its Jamnagar facility so as to double its petrochemicals production within the coming years. The Jamnagar phase three expansion project, popularly called as the J-3 mega petrochemicals project, is the latest of the ambitious plans RIL has in store as it looks at advancing its position in the global market. In order to fulfil this ambition, Reliance Industries has approached Italy based insurance and finance group SACE Spa, which has guaranteed a US$ 400 million equivalent loan for the expansion and upgrading of the production capacity of its petrochemical plants.</p>
<p>The expansion plans for Jamnagar facility approximate an investment of US $11 billion. The announcement of this latest undertaking was made at the signing ceremony hosted at SACE’s Headquarters in Rome, Italy.  Commenting on the occasion was the CEO of SACE, Alessandro Castellano, who said, “SACE’s guarantee is both a relevant growth catalyst and an important leverage for the competitiveness of Italian exporters, along with quality and price of products. The deal confirms our partnership with a key global player like Reliance Industries and paves the way for a further promotion of trade-related business between Indian and Italian companies, particularly the large number of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the country.”This deal is the 4thconcluded with Reliance Industries since 2004 and brings to US$1 billion the overall credit facilities backed by SACE for the conglomerate.</p>
<p>The mega-ambitious project will look at setting up of petrochemical units, a gasification plant and refinery off-gas cracker, among others.  On realization, this project is likely to fire Reliance’s production graphs and position the conglomerate in an advantageous position. Additionally, SACE will continue its role as the business facilitator in India by making its way into the Indian subcontinent to regulate operations in South Asia.</p>
<p>This deal comes through soon after RIL noted its plans for buying back equity shares to shore up its Share prices. Now termed as the largest every buyback plan in Indian corporate history, RIL’s plans is signalling promise to its shareholders and investors of the fact that the company is will go lengths to retain the integrity of its share price which makes the company India’s most valuable.</p>