Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration and India with Special Focus on India Model BIT, 2016

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration and India with Special Focus on India Model BIT, 2016 MUMBAI SILICON VALLEY BANGALOR E SINGAPORE MUMBAI BKC NEW DELHI MUNICH N E W Y ORK Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration and India With special focus on India Model BIT, 2016 February 2018 © Copyright 2018 Nishith Desai Associates www.nishithdesai.com Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration and India With special focus on India Model BIT, 2016 February 2018 [email protected] © Nishith Desai Associates 2018 Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration and India With special focus on India Model BIT, 2016 Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 01 2. ADVENT OF BITS – WORLD & INDIA 04 3. PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION 06 4. INDIA : 1994 - 2016 07 I. Dabhol Power Project, 1990’s 07 II. White Industries, 2002 - 2011 08 III. Post White Industries, 2011 - 2016 08 5. INDIA MODEL BIT, 2016: OVERVIEW 09 6. APPLICABILITY 10 I. Principles 10 II. Applicability of the 2016 India Model BIT 11 7. JURISDICTION AND ADMISSIBILITY 14 I. Preamble 14 II. Investment 15 III. Investor 18 8. MERITS 21 I. Expropriation / Taking of Property 21 II. “Treatment of Investments” 25 9. TREATY EXCEPTIONS 36 10. OTHER IMPORTANT CLAUSES/ISSUES 39 I. Attribution of acts of state entities to states 39 II. Treaty versus Contract Claims 39 III. Umbrella Clauses 40 IV. Denial of Benefits clause 41 V. Survival clauses 42 © Nishith Desai Associates 2018 Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration and India With special focus on India Model BIT, 2016 11. INVESTOR-STATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION 43 I. Overview 43 II. Settlement of Disputes under the 2016 India Model BIT 44 III. Scope 44 IV. Conditions precedent for submission of claim to arbitration 46 V. Exhaustion of Local Remedies 46 VI. Submission within a year of acquiring knowledge of measure and loss 47 VII. Dispute before National Courts or Judicial Authorities 47 VIII. Notice of Dispute & Amicable Means of Resolution 48 IX. Notice of Arbitration 48 12. CONCLUSION 50 APPENDIX - CASES RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT ARBITRATION IN INDIA 52 © Nishith Desai Associates 2018 Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration and India With special focus on India Model BIT, 2016 1. Executive Summary International investment rule-making takes The language of treaty provisions is a key factor place at the bilateral, regional, inter-regional in case outcomes - underlining the importance and multilateral levels. Policy-makers, of balanced and careful treaty drafting. Clauses negotiators, the civil society and other are inserted by parties to stipulate a definite set stakeholders are required to be well informed of obligations towards the other party. Since about foreign direct investment, international the terms of agreements are bound to vary, the investment agreements (IIAs) and their impact community of interests is bound to be broader on the economy of the states involved. and more diversified. In the last few decades, Bilateral Investment Nonetheless, most BITs have a recognizable look Treaties (“BITs”)1 have become an integral part - starting from titles, such as: ‘Treaty between of international investment relations. Their [one contracting party] and [the other contracting existence has a great impact in influencing party] concerning the encouragement and reciprocal formulation of international public policy. protection of investment.’ . Generally, the content of a BIT follows a pattern. At the outset, The 1990’s witnessed a surge of BITs between a preamble expresses the object and purpose developed and developing nations. Since of the BIT. Post the preamble, a BIT generally then, there has been an exponential growth incorporates a definition clause that outlines in their number. In 2000, the United Nations the scope and ambit of the BIT by defining an Conference on Trade and Development ‘investor’ and ‘investment’ – the key qualifiers (UNCTAD) noted that BITs are the most of protection under the BIT. These definitions important instruments for protection give way to standards of protection and of foreign investment.2 treatment of foreign investments - addressing While BITs are generally titled as agreements for standards such as fair and equitable treatment, promotion and protection of investments, and full protection and security, national treatment, contain provisions on ‘protection’ of investment, and most-favored nation treatment. they seldom contain provisions relating to Provisions dealing with state measures such as ‘promotion’ of investment. Even if incorporated, nationalization, expropriation or other similar such provisions are effectively non-binding in measures, their permissibility under specific nature. Nevertheless, it is assumed that circumstances, and compensation for losses a formal offer of protection to foreign investors incurred by foreign investors form a core part through a BIT will encourage and promote of BITs and usually follow the standards of cross-border investments. While the efficacy protection. Most BITs additionally regulate of this assumption is debatable, it is predicted cross-border transfer of funds in connection that increased foreign investment is crucial for with foreign investment. developing countries which aim to use foreign direct investment and BITs as tools to enhance their economic development. 1. Bilateral Investment Treaties are agreements that protect in- vestments by investors of one state in the territory of another state. These treaties articulate substantive rules governing the host State’s treatment of the investment, and establish dispute resolution mechanisms applicable to alleged viola- tions of those rules, 41 Harv. Int. L. J.469, 469-470 (2000) 2. UNCTAD Bilateral Investment Treaties, 1959-1999 UNCTAD/ ITE/IIA/2 UN (2000) available at http://www.unctad.org/en/ docs/poiteiiad2.en.pdf © Nishith Desai Associates 2018 1 Provided upon request only One of the vital provisions in BITs is investor- Resultantly, reactions to BITs are now State dispute resolution clause. Such clauses changing, with some countries moving towards may envisage a matrix of fora and mechanisms denunciation. For instance, South Africa has – occasionally involving cooling off periods, derecognized all its BITs and has enacted negotiation, mediation, exhaustion of local a domestic legislation to govern potential remedies, and fork-in-the road provisions expropriation claims by foreign investors precluding exercise of one remedy over the other. against the South African government. Brazil However, majority of BITs involve international continues to remain a non-participant in the arbitration as the long-stop of dispute international investment treaty framework. resolution. International Centre for Settlement India signed her first BIT with United Kingdom of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the United in 1994, with the clear objective of attracting Nations Commission on International Trade Law and incentivizing foreign investment.3 (UNCITRAL) and the International Chamber India’s initial attitude towards IIAs remained of Commerce (ICC) are the common routes for unchanged until few years back. India’s first BIT international investment treaty arbitration. was based on a Model created by a developed In this regard, an investment treaty arbitration country - where emphasis lied on protection of differs from an international commercial foreign investment, rather than internationally arbitration. While the latter involves disputes recognized regulatory powers of the State.4 between private parties, the former envisages This excessively investor friendly regime disputes between a private individual / legal remained unchanged for nearly two decades. entity and a State. This adorns investor-State The India-UK BIT served as the base template disputes with the color of a private-public for India to negotiate further BITs. In fact, the international dispute. As a consequence, Indian Model BIT of 2003 contained close aspects of private international law and public semblance with the India-UK BIT.5 The regime international law merge to create a separate garnered scanty attention and until 2011, only body of international law, a lex specialis, which one arbitration was initiated against India is now recognized as international investment internationally. This was ultimately settled and treaty law. did not result in an international investment arbitration award.6 In the last decade, economies have become far more protectionist and regulation-centric. However, India’s approach to investment Sustainable development of the host State treaties started undergoing a sea-change after has begun to take fore amid capital-gaining the case of White Industries 7 in 2011. Several activities of foreign direct investors. With cases were filed against India between 2011 rising State regulation in diverse areas such as and 2016. As a result of the growing surge public health, environment, economic reforms of BIT claims, India unilaterally terminated and security amongst others, international investment treaty law is striving to balance 3. See Rashmi Banga, Impact of Government Policies and Invest- investor protection with State interests. ment Agreements on FDI Inflows, Indian Council for Research Further, the diminishing distinction between on International Economic Relations, Working Paper No. 116, 2003 traditionally capital-importing and capital- 4. Id at 9. exporting States has called for a re-look at BITs 5. KRISHAN, DEV. INDIA AND INTERNATIONAL INVEST- and investment protection standards. MENT LAW. IN INDIA AND INTERNATIONAL LAW, ed, Bi- mal Patel, 277, Martinus Nijhoff, 2008. [hereinafter KRISHAN, DEV. INDIA AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
Recommended publications
  • Cover 1 the Enron Story
    Cover 1 The Enron Story: Controversial Issues and People s Struggle Contents Preface I. The Project and the First Power Purchase Agreement II. Techno-economic and Environmental Objections III. Local People“s Concerns and Objections IV. Grassroots Resistance, Cancellation of the Project and It“s Revival V. The Renegotiated Enron Deal and Resurgence of Grassroots Resistance VI. Battle in the Court VII. Alternatives to Enron Project Conclusions Appendices I Debate on Techno-economic objections II The Merits of the Renegotiated Project III Excerpts from the Reports of Amnesty International IV Chronology of Events Glossary The Enron Story, Prayas, Sept. 1997 Cover 3 Cover 4 The Enron Story, Prayas, Sept. 1997 (PRAYAS Monograph Series) The Enron Story: Controversial Issues and People s Struggle Dr. Subodh Wagle PRAYAS Amrita Clinic, Athavale Corner Karve Road Corner, Deccan Gymkhana Pune, 411-004, India. Phone: (91) (212) 341230 Fax: (91) (212) 331250 (Attn: # 341230) PRAYAS Printed At: The Enron Story, Prayas, Sept. 1997 For Private Circulation Only Requested Contribution: Rs. 15/- The Enron Story, Prayas, Sept. 1997 Preface cite every source on every occasion in such a brief monograph. But I am indebted for the direct and indirect help from many The Enron controversy has at least four major categories individuals (and their works) including, Sulbha Brahme, Winin of issues: techno-economic, environmental, social, and legal or Pereira and his INDRANET group, Samaj Vidnyan Academy, procedural. In the past, the Prayas Energy Group has concentrated Abhay Mehta, and many activists especially, Yeshwant Bait, its efforts mainly on the techno-economic issues. Many Ashok Kadam, and Arun and Vijay Joglekar.
    [Show full text]
  • Request for Arbitration
    REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION UNDER THE INVESTMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 19 NOVEMBER 1997 - BETWEEN - THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (Claimant) THE GOVER1NMENT OF INDIA 0~espondent) November 4, 2004 UNDER THE INVESTMENT INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TIRE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ) Govermnent of tile ) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ) c/o Office of the Legal Adviser ) U.S. Department of State ) Washington, D.C. 20520 ) United States of America ) ) Claimant, ) ) and ) ) GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ) Honorable Mamnohan Singh ) Prime Minister ) c/o Ministry of External Affairs ) South Block ) New Delhi 110001 ) Republic of India ) ) Respondent. ) ) REQUEST FOR ARBITRATION 1. Pursuant to Article 6 of the Investment Incentive Agreement ("Bilateral Agreement" or "Agreement")t between the Govenwaent of tbe United States of America and the Government ~ Signed on November 19, 1997 and entered into force on April 16, 1998. A copy of the Bilateral Agreement is atlached hereto as Exhibit 1. Article 7(a) of the Bilateral Agreement provides that the Bilateral Agreement shall "replace and supersede the agreement between the United States of America and India on the Guaranty of Private Investments effected by exchange of notes signed at Washington on September 19, 1957 as supplemented by exchanges of notes signed at Washington on December 7, 1959 and at New Delhi on February 2, 1966 (the ’Prior Agreement’)." Article 7(a) further provides that any matter related to Investment Support provided under the Prior Agreement shall be resolved under the Bilateral Agreement, unless raised prior to entry into force of the Bilateral Agreement.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Corruption in Public Financial Management 267 William Dorotinsky and Shilpa Pradhan
    Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized 39985 The Many Faces of Corruption The Many Faces of Corruption Tracking Vulnerabilities at the Sector Level EDITED BY J. Edgardo Campos Sanjay Pradhan Washington, D.C. © 2007 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org E-mail: [email protected] All rights reserved 2 3 4 5 10 09 08 07 This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgement on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this publication is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may be a violation of applicable law. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank encourages dissemination of its work and will normally grant permission to reproduce portions of the work promptly. For permission to photocopy or reprint any part of this work, please send a request with complete information to the Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; telephone: 978-750-8400; fax: 978-750-4470; Internet: www.copyright.com.
    [Show full text]
  • Electricity in India
    prepa india 21/02/02 12:14 Page 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY ELECTRICITY IN INDIA Providing Power for the Millions INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY ELECTRICITY IN INDIA Providing Power for the Millions INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR ENERGY AGENCY ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION 9, rue de la Fédération, AND DEVELOPMENT 75739 Paris, cedex 15, France The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an Pursuant to Article 1 of the Convention signed in autonomous body which was established in Paris on 14th December 1960, and which came November 1974 within the framework of the into force on 30th September 1961, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to implement an Development (OECD) shall promote policies international energy programme. designed: It carries out a comprehensive programme of • To achieve the highest sustainable economic energy co-operation among twenty-six* of the growth and employment and a rising standard OECD’s thirty Member countries. The of living in Member countries, while maintaining basic aims of the IEA are: financial stability, and thus to contribute to the development of the world economy; • To maintain and improve systems for coping • To contribute to sound economic expansion in with oil supply disruptions; Member as well as non-member countries in • To promote rational energy policies in a global the process of economic development; and context through co-operative relations with • To contribute to the expansion of world trade non-member countries, industry and on
    [Show full text]
  • Dabhol Power Company
    DABHOL POWER COMPANY The Challenges of Developing and Financing An LNG-Fired Power Project in India William D. Gathmann Executive Vice President Enron India GASTECH 2000 Conference Houston, Texas November 2000 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS —Largest project in India —Largest foreign investment in India —Largest non-recourse project financing in India —Largest LNG-fired power plant in the world —First LNG regassification facility in India —First long term sale of LNG to non-investment grade, emerging market country —First project financing of an LNG ship 2 DABHOL TIMELINE May 1992 Enron invited to India December 1993 Dabhol PPA signed March 1995 Financial closure of Dabhol Phase I Construction starts August 1995 Project cancelled Construction stopped Arbitration in London starts September 1995 Re-negotiations commence November 1995 Re-negotiations complete Nov-Aug 1995 New approvals obtained December 1996 Phase I financial closure (again) Construction restarts Arbitration dropped 3 DABHOL TIMELINE January 1997 Phase II Development commences December 1998 Start construction of regas terminal May 1999 Financial close of Phase II Construction begins on all Phase II Commercial operation of Phase Third Quarter 2001 Power Block B on line Fourth Quarter 2001 Power Block C on line Phase II operational on liquid fuels First Quarter 2002 LNG vessel arrives Regas facility and tanks complete Entire project switches to natural gas 4 PROJECT OVERVIEW G Project Owner Dabhol Power Company G Project Location Dabhol, Maharashtra, India G Project Sponsors Enron, Bechtel
    [Show full text]
  • Answered On:31.07.2003 Dabhol Power Project Bhawana Gawali (Patil);Prakash V
    GOVERNMENT OF INDIA POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO:1629 ANSWERED ON:31.07.2003 DABHOL POWER PROJECT BHAWANA GAWALI (PATIL);PRAKASH V. PATIL Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government have allowed NTPC to operate controversial Dabhol Power Plant; (b) whether dispute of tariff structure between Maharashtra State Electricity Board and State Government has been finalized; (c) whether all the legal complications with Enron of USA have been taken care before starting the Dabhol Phase-I; and (d) if so, the details thereof? Answer THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA ) (a) : The Dabhol Power Plant (Ph.I) has been shut down since 29.05.2001 aftert he Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) stopped taking power following contractual disputes with M/s. Dabhol Power Company (DPC) and subsequentr escissions of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by MSEB.T he PPA was entered into between MSEB and DPC.T hus, the responsibility to restart Phase-I and complete Phase-II of the Dabhol project lies with the main stakeholders viz. MSEB and DPC asw ell as the Government of Maharashtra (GOM), who had guaranteed the obligations of MSEB under the PPA.T he Indian Financial Institutions (IFIs) led by the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), having substantial stakes in the Dabhol Power Project, have been trying to restructure and revive the Dabhol Plant. Government of India has agreed to facilitate any amicable solution to the various issues in order to revive/restructure the project. Any scheme finalized for revival of the Dabhol Project would come as a comprehensive package and would have to resolve complex, legal, financial and technical issues.
    [Show full text]
  • Enron Annual Report, 1999
    ENRON ANNUAL REPORT 1999 ENRON ANNUAL REPORT ENRON ANNUAL REPORT 1999 ® 1400 Smith Street Houston, Texas 77002-7361 www.enron.com ©2000 Enron Corp. Enron and the Enron logo are registered trademarks and Endless possibilities, ePowered, ePowered Media Cast, ePowered Media Transport and EnronOnline are trademarks of Enron Corp. or one of its subsidiaries. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks of others. ENRON operates networks throughout the world to develop and enhance energy and broadband communication services. Networks, unlike vertically integrated business structures, facilitate the flow of information and expertise. We can spot market signals faster and respond more quickly. Networks empower individuals, freeing them to craft innovative and substantive solutions to customer problems. Networks are the foundation of our knowledge-based businesses, OUR VALUES and they provide exceptional COMMUNICATION INTEGRITY returns and value for our We have an obligation to communicate. Here, we We work with customers and prospects openly, shareholders. take the time to talk with one another… and to honestly and sincerely. When we say we will do listen. We believe that information is meant to something, we will do it; when we say we cannot CONTENTS move and that information moves people. or will not do something, then we won’t do it. 1 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2 LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS 6 WHOLESALE ENERGY BUSINESS RESPECT EXCELLENCE 14 ENRON BROADBAND SERVICES We treat others as we would like to be treated We are satisfied with nothing less than the very best 18 RETAIL ENERGY SERVICES ourselves. We do not tolerate abusive or disrespectful in everything we do.
    [Show full text]
  • Symposium Panelists and Participants
    international41449 political Public Disclosure Authorized risk management Public Disclosure Authorized NEEDS OF THE PRESENT, CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE Public Disclosure Authorized Theodore H. Moran, Gerald T. West, and Keith Martin, Editors MIGA THE WORLD BANK GROUP Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Public Disclosure Authorized International Political Risk Management Needs of the Present, Challenges for the Future International Political Risk Management Needs of the Present, Challenges for the Future Theodore H. Moran, Gerald T. West, and Keith Martin, Editors THE WORLD BANK Washington, D.C. © 2008 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org E-mail: [email protected] All rights reserved. 1 2 3 4 10 09 08 07 This volume is a product of the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judge- ment on the part of the World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may be a violation of applicable law. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank encourages dissemination of its work and will normally grant permission to reproduce portions of the work promptly.
    [Show full text]
  • The Enron Controversy
    The Enron Controversy: Techno-Economic Analysis and Policy Implications Girish Sant and Shantanu Dixit PRAYAS Subodh Wagle CEEP, University of Delaware, USA The Enron Controversy, Prayas, Sept. 1995 4 The Enron Controversy Contents Summary 10 1. Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Between Dabhol Power Company and Maharashtra State Electricity Board: Structure and Implications 14 2. The Enron Deal: Why the First Stage Should Be Cancelled 36 3. The Enron Controversy: Alternative Options For Electricity Generation In Maha- rashtra 41 4. MNCs: New Development Messiahs and Old Justifications: Investigating Enron s Claims of Providing Development Assistance To India 49 5. Roots of Enron Controversy: Fundamental Ills of Power Sector 62 The Enron Controversy/Prayas/September 1995 Glossary 5 Glossary BHEL: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. Bus-bar: Point at which power is fed to the grid by a power plant CEA: Central Electricity Authority Co-generation: Efficient generation of power and steam simultaneously (usually in industry) GoI/GoM: Government of India / Maharashtra GT: Gas Turbine (used for power generation) IPP: Independent Power Producer IRR: Internal Rate of Return (a measure of profitability) MSEB: Maharashtra State Electricity Board NTPC: National Thermal Power Corporation PLF: Plant Load Factor (capacity utilisation) SEB: State Electricity Board Lakh: 100 thousand Million: 1000 thousand Crore: 10 Million $: U.S. $ = 32 Rs (in 1995) kWh: one Unit of electricity MW: Million Watts (power) The Enron Controversy/Prayas/September 1995 Preface PRAYAS is a voluntary initiative in the fields of energy, health, and learning and parenthood. Members of the Development & Energy Group of PRAYAS have been working on various issues in the power sector for last four years.
    [Show full text]
  • The Dabhol Power Project Settlement What Happened? and How?
    The Dabhol Power Project Settlement What Happened? and How? Kenneth Hansen, Robert C. O’Sullivan and W. Geoffrey Anderson y late 2001, the $2.9 billion Dabhol Execution of the PPA followed in assumed that these payments consisted of Bpower project had become, for the December 1993. MSEB’s payment little more than bribes to procure official second time, a leading international obligations were guaranteed by both the support for the project. investment disaster. government of Maharashtra (GOM) and, The controversies blew up shortly Six months earlier, cash flow from the subject to a roughly $300 million cap, the after ground was broken, when, in 1995, a Maharashtra State Electricity Board Central Government. change in political control led state of (MSEDB), the sole offtaker, had stopped. Based largely on that PPA and those Maharashtra authorities to cancel the After a year or so of smooth operations guaranties, Enron raised $1.9 billion in project. That dispute was resolved with a followed by months of slow and defaulted project debt. It was raise from a coalition of renegotiation of the tariff, a reduction of payments, Dabhol Power Company (DPC) Indian government-owned banks, export project costs and by the sale by Enron to an sent MSEB a notice of arbitration in May credit agencies, a syndicate of offshore, MSEB affiliate of a 30 per cent equity interest 2001. MSEB responded by, among other commercial lenders and the Overseas in the project for $137 million, reducing things, seeking an injunction to block that Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Enron’s interest in DPC to 50 per cent.
    [Show full text]
  • The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Underwriting the ‘New’ Rules of the Game
    Chapter 1: The Overseas Private Investment Corporation: Underwriting the ‘New’ Rules of the Game The concept of government guarantees to protect foreign investors against non- commercial or political risks has a long lineage, having been used extensively by the British to fund the construction of Indian railways from the mid-19th century onward.1 In the modern era, the first publicly backed investment guarantee program was established by the United States (U.S.) as part of the Marshall Plan for European reconstruction (1948).2 The basic idea was simple enough. By agreeing to indemnify U.S. foreign investors against losses arising from the inability to convert local currency revenues into U.S. dollars, the government sought to encourage the flow of private investment capital and expertise as a supplement to public aid expenditures. Later, during the 1950s, the suite of compensable risks would be expanded to include the illegal ‘taking’ of foreign owned property (expropriation and confiscation), while the focus of the program shifted from Europe to ‘friendly developing countries’. Initial corporate concerns regarding government interference in private investment decision-making, however, meant that the volume of insurance issued would remain low until the early 1960s, wherein demand rose rapidly. Faced with rising demand from an ever increasing array of U.S. multinational investors and a record number of insurance claims, but burdened with limited resources the guaranty program was in 1971 transferred to an independent agency operating as a wholly U.S. government- owned statutory corporation, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Its mission: ‘to mobilize and facilitate the participation of U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Energy News Monitor
    ENERGY NEWS MONITOR Energy News [GOOD] The presence of private players in coal mining will improve [UGLY] efficiency of the sector! Page 19 As long as [BAD] investors bet on Low crude prices are the result of falling aggregate demand the expendability which is not good news for anyone! of the Indian Page 14 system and not on dependability of [WEEK IN REVIEW]……………………... demand, power projects will [NATIONAL: OIL & GAS]……………………… always be exposed to risk! [NATIONAL: POWER]……………………… Page 15 [INTERNATIONAL: OIL & GAS]……………………… [INTERNATIONAL: POWER]……………………… A NALYSIS / DATA Volume XII 15 January 2016 ISSUES INSIGHT Issue 31 [INDIA’S ENERGY SECURITY: A PLEA FOR RETROSPECTIVES ] [RENEWABLE “The strategy of pursuing all possible strategies ENERGY / recommended in the guide books of energy security seem to have achieved CLIMATE little more than scattering India’s resources and capabilities. There is a need to indulge in retrospective analysis of India’s energy forecasts and energy CHANGE security strategies. But it will not be easy as audits that look into the past to TRENDS] ask “what have we done?” are a threat. No one will want to put money into such an exercise. On the other hand, planning for an unknown and probably unknowable future for the betterment of man is far moreCONTENTS exciting…” INSIGHT…… [WEEK IN REVIEW] ORFOBSERVER Centre for Resources Management RESEARCH 1 FOUNDATION 6 – 12 January 2016 14th Petro India 2016 Conference Oil Price Volatility: Consequences & Policy Responses Tentative Programme Highlights Hotel Shangri La, New
    [Show full text]