ICBC, two more foreign lenders get banking permission

Reserve Bank has given permission to Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to start operations in India in 2011, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.

Besides, two other banks Rabobank International (The Netherlands) and Woori Bank (South Korea) have also been given approval to expand their presence in India. In the last calender year, eight foreign banks, including DBS Bank, Credit Suisse AG and Barclays Bank, were given approval by RBI to open branches or expand the existing ones. As of now, 38 foreign banks are functioning in India through 321 branches. This information was given by Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena in the Lok Sabha in a written reply. Replying to another query, the Minister said State Bank of India (SBI) proposes to open additional branches/offices in Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Germany, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, South Africa and Sri Lanka. "While giving approvals for opening offices, RBI/ Government of India desires that only banks, which have the capacity to survive in a competitive global market are allowed (to mark their) presence abroad," Meena added.