The beleaguered national carrier is aiming to rebuild and restructure its tattered image by raising $300 million from overseas market via External Commercial Borrowing (ECB). The Air India is believed to be mopping up these funds from foreign market in order to meet its working capital requirements.

ECB is an instrument to raise funds that allows firms to access overseas money.  The ailing maharaja is aiming to come out of cash-crunch mode by tying up with Citibank and State bank of India (SBI).

Sources inform that the AI has received many proposals from various banks and financial institutions. The proposals are being evaluated by the ministry and the AI. “Currently, the most attractive offer has come from Citibank and the SBI. We might tie up with them,” sources say.

On April 9 the AI had floated international tender in order to raise $ 300 million through ECB window. The last day to submit the offer was initially fixed for April 27 which later was extended to May 4.

Sources say that the Citibank and SBI have jointed submitted the offer which looks the most lucrative.    The funds raised via this window would be guaranteed by the Government of India. The As per the AI’s invitation document the interest rate will be linked to London inter-bank offered rate (Libor).

In 2012 Air India was allowed, for the first time to raise funds via ECB for a period of one year. The funds raised via ECB window will be utilized for working capital and clearing the liabilities availed from domestic banks.