India’s Leading BFSI and FinTech Companies 2023

India’s Leading BFSI and FinTech Companies 2023 | 51 [ EXPERT’S VIEW ] HOWWOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE JOURNEY OF YOUR COMPANY SINCE ITS INCEPTION? Over the last 17 years, IIFCL has continuously evolved to meet the increasing needs of the infrastructure sector and continues to play a pivotal role in India’s ambitious targets in financing the infrastructure projects. In total, we have given financial support to projects that have the potential to add nearly 1.5 crore direct and indirect jobs. Majority of our initiatives are in rural and semi-urban regions, which helps to strengthen the local economy and create jobs. Taking its vision forward, IIFCL has sanctioned over 690 projects totalling ` 12 lakh crore in project outlay and has provided financial assistance to roughly 500 PPP projects, which is close to 28% of all PPP projects in India. IIFCL is the largest lender to HAMProjects, having sanctioned loans totalling ` 14,113 Crore for 79 NHAI Projects towards the development of roads totalling approximately 30,000 km (about 21%of India’s NHCapacity). Also, IIFCL was the Lead Lender in India’s first Railway Station Re- development Project, Habibganj. We have provided financial assistance in the energy sector with sanctions of over ` 60,727 crore enabling the development of ~ 66GW installed capacity, which is close to 17% of India’s installed capacity. We have also helped to construct 836million tonnes India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited P R Jaishankar Managing Director of capacity in the port industry, which is approximately 52% of India’s major port capacity. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY YOUR COMPANY IN RECENT YEARS? HOW HAVE THOSE INITIATIVES HELPED YOUR ORGANISATION? IIFCL is positioned as India’s top inf rast ructure lender . We have consistently pushed for the use of creative financial instruments to meet the enormous funding needs of the infrastructure sector. We are the first to introduce innovative financial products such Takeout Finance, Credit Enhancement and Sub-Debt for infrastructure sector in India. To increase the market l iquidi ty for infrastructure projects, we have entered the InvITs (Infrastructure Investment Trust) and project bond markets. This has enabled the company to strengthen its Balance Sheet and reduce NPA levels. IIFCL also became the first company in India to implement an online project monitoring system (OPMS) that utilise satellite imaging, drones, and other technologies for real-time monitoring of project status. This technology integration has exponentially changed thedynamicsofmonitoring theprojects conducted by lenders showcasing an immediate effect on lessening the constraints that themonitoring process currently has. We are also leveraging the technology to monitor project proposals and enable borrowers with a feedback system. WHAT ARE THE KEY FACTORS THAT DIFFERENTIATES YOUR COMPANY FROM ITS PEERS AND ALSO SHED SOME LIGHT ON YOUR COMPANY’S GROWTH STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS? IIFCL extends financial assistance to various strategic infrastructure projects that play a vital role in the overall country’s development and has transformed itself from a Last Mile Lender to Preferred Financier. IIFCL has made its mark in the country, not only as a financier for infrastructure projects, but also in its policy advocacy measures. Our specialized experience with one the best talent pool in the sector, has enabled us to identify for the various gaps that exist in the infrastructure sector and provide recommendations for suitably bridging the same. We further intend to significantly expand our portfolio and are now focused on internal accrual-based growth and improving the quality of our assets. We aim to create market enablers that will help the infrastructure sector grow and boost liquidity levels and innovators’ trust by initiating talks with multilaterals and authorities on a continual basis. Dun & Bradstreet