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General Studies 3 >> Economy

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NATIONAL INVESTMENT AND INFRASTRUCRURE FUND (NIIF)

NATIONAL INVESTMENT AND INFRASTRUCRURE FUND (NIIF)

 
 
1. Context
India’s quasi-sovereign wealth fund, the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) launched  a $600-million fund to invest in sustainability projects.
2. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is an Indian government-sponsored fund created to attract investment for infrastructure development in India. It was established in 2015 with the primary objective of catalyzing investment in the country's infrastructure sector, which is crucial for economic growth.

Key features and details of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) include:

  1. The NIIF is structured as a fund of funds (FoF), which means it invests in various sector-specific or project-specific funds rather than making direct investments. These sector-specific funds can focus on areas like transportation, energy, urban infrastructure, and more.

  2. The NIIF comprises contributions from the Indian government, international investors, and other financial institutions. The government's contribution is typically channeled through the India Investment Grid (IIG) and other related entities.

  3. The NIIF is professionally managed by a team of experienced professionals and experts in the field of finance and infrastructure. It operates with a mandate to make commercially viable investments in infrastructure projects.

  4. The fund's primary focus is on infrastructure projects that are considered economically viable. These projects can include transportation, energy, urban infrastructure, and other sectors critical to India's development.

  5. NIIF's objective is to act as a catalyst for both domestic and foreign investment in Indian infrastructure. It aims to provide a platform for long-term investors to participate in India's infrastructure growth story.

  6. NIIF plays a key role in promoting public-private partnerships in infrastructure development. By leveraging private sector investments and expertise, it helps address India's infrastructure financing gap.

  7. NIIF may adopt various investment approaches, including equity, debt, or hybrid instruments, depending on the specific project and investment needs.

  8. NIIF is often categorized as a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) because of its government sponsorship. However, it primarily focuses on domestic infrastructure investments rather than accumulating foreign assets.

  9. NIIF comprises various funds, including the NIIF Master Fund and sector-specific funds. Contributions from the Indian government, multilateral institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and other investors fund these sub-funds.

3. Objectives of NIIF
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) in India has several key objectives, which are aimed at promoting infrastructure development and attracting investment in the country's critical infrastructure sectors.
Key Objectives of NIIF are as follows:
  • NIIF is primarily established to provide long-term, patient, and flexible capital to infrastructure projects in India.
  • It aims to bridge the financing gap for infrastructure development by attracting investments from various sources, including domestic and foreign investors
  • One of the primary goals of NIIF is to act as a catalyst for investment in the infrastructure sector.
  • By facilitating investments, it helps accelerate the development of infrastructure projects critical to India's economic growth.
  • NIIF is involved in various stages of infrastructure project development, including project identification, planning, financing, and implementation. It plays a role in the entire project lifecycle
  • NIIF seeks to make commercially viable investments. While it has a development mandate, it aims to generate returns on investments, making it an attractive proposition for investors.
4.Types of NIIF Funds

The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) in India comprises several funds, each with a specific focus on different sectors and types of investments. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, there were primarily three types of funds under NIIF:

  1. NIIF Master Fund: The NIIF Master Fund is the core fund and serves as the anchor fund for NIIF. It is a diversified fund that can invest in various infrastructure projects and sectors. Its primary objective is to attract investment from both domestic and international sources and facilitate infrastructure development across the country. The Master Fund is typically involved in equity investments in infrastructure projects and may also provide debt financing.

  2. Fund of Funds (FoFs): NIIF operates several sector-specific and project-specific funds, referred to as Fund of Funds (FoFs). These funds are set up to focus on particular sectors, such as energy, transportation, and urban infrastructure. The FoFs are designed to channel investments into specific sectors where there is a need for infrastructure development. For example, there may be an FoF dedicated to renewable energy projects, which will invest in various renewable energy ventures.

  3. Strategic Investment Fund (SIF): The Strategic Investment Fund is another type of fund under the NIIF umbrella. This fund is aimed at making direct investments in companies and businesses that are involved in the infrastructure sector. SIF can invest in both greenfield (new projects) and brownfield (existing projects) investment

5. Way forward
National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has multifaceted objectives, including facilitating infrastructure financing, promoting investment in infrastructure projects, supporting public-private partnerships, and contributing to India's economic growth and development. It plays a critical role in addressing the country's infrastructure financing needs
 
 
Previous Year Questions
 
1.With reference to 'National Investment and Infrastructure Fund', which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2017)
1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.
2. It has a corpus of Rs 4,00,000 crore at present.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 Only
B. 2 Only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (D)
 
Source: indianexpress
 
 
 

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