Repatriable

From CEOpedia | Management online

Repatriable is a definition that presents something as capable of repatriation. Repatriation globally mean that we can bring something that was acquired in a foreign country or was taken there to the country of origin. Generally, in finance, repatriation refers to currency. The main goal of this is to change a foreign currency into that one local currency that we are using currently. It becomes necessary, when we have to make investments in the foreign countries, travelling through the world or just by making business transaction with our contractors. When considering assets as repatriable, we can tell that those are the assets, that can be withdrawn from other country (foreign) and stored in our home country. Also if we are talking about the currency here, the deposited amount will be transferred from foreign currency, to the home currency that we are using.

Speaking of something that it is repatriable, we have to make sure, that both of the countries that repatriation refers to, have the laws constructed in a way, that those will not limit the possibility of repatriation. If one of the countries have laws that will impede or limit the possibility of this process, the repatriation can be stretched in time or even can be not possible to achieve.

Other definitions says that repatriation refers to anyone or anything which returns to their place of descent.

Laws impact

When we speak of repatriation, the main issue with limit to this is law. Laws can spur or block process of repatriation. Some countries have bigger possibility to proceed with repatriation, we can easily locate our funds there or make big investment within its borders. Some, on the other hand have the hermetical borders when coming to their currency or the investments people can make there are really restricted. This can block the repatriation. One of the main problems when considering this process are taxes. Some of the countries implement taxes to the income or assets of the income that was earned in the foreign countries. We have a good example of this actions in United States of America. Income earned abroad is reduced by Foreign Tax Credit. That process made many of the companies abroad and place their investments in the foreign countries in order to avoid the taxes. This process discourages investors from moving their business to the home country because abroad they can save more of the income.

Exchange risk

Big companies mostly works in few countries at the same time. This in some measure forces them to operate the currency of the country they placed their company in. And this situation makes a so-called foreign exchange risk. The funds company holds are exposed to the fluctuations of the exchange rate, which makes that the company can gain or lose value. We can put an example here, when one of the companies from America would like to sell their products in their stores in one of European countries, like Germany, they would have to sell those products in the currency that is currently used in the borders of Germany, which is euro. So the gain of the company will be mostly based on the fluctuations of the value of both of the currencies. This company can earn more when the dollar will be stronger, and during its selling, one dollar will cost more euro than in the beginning of the sell. But at the same time it can loose, as the dollar can cost less euro than originally started. This is, what makes the risk of exchange.

NRE and FCNR-B accounts

India has came out with an initiative called FDI (foreign direct investment) that will encourage the cash (assets) and investment flow into India especially from their citizens that work in the foreign countries. This create exclusive accounts for non Indian residents (NRI). Those accounts can be both repatriable or non-repatriable. There is a possibility for NRI to choose between two types of the accounts:

  • First one is the NRE account (Non resident external account).
  • Second type of the account the NRI can use is the FCNR-B account (Foreign currency, non-resident bank deposit).

The funds that are generated on those accounts can be repatriated by for example converting them into any foreign currency or transferring to the country the resident is currently in. There is also a third type of the account, NRO Account. This is a non-repatriable account. The funds there are stored in Rupees and those cannot be transferred to ay other country and cannot be change to other currencies. In order to activate NRI account in India, account holder has to provide the documentary that he is nonresident as for this moment regarding Indian tax laws. When the person becomes NRI, he is unable to have any other bank accounts with Indian resident status.

We also have to keep in mind the fact that assets as cash are repatriable. But on the other hand assets as real estate cannot be. In fact, if something is repatriable mostly depends on the country and laws that describes this process.

Examples of Repatriable

  • Money: Money is the most common example of repatriable asset. Money can be sent to a foreign country and then sent back to its original country. This is done through foreign exchange and remittance services.
  • Investment: Investments are also repatriable assets. This can be done through a variety of methods such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investment vehicles.
  • Property: Property is another repatriable asset. This can be done through real estate or other tangible assets.
  • Technology: Technology is also repatriable. This can be done through the sale of technology to foreign countries or through the licensing of technology to foreign countries.
  • Intellectual Property: Intellectual property is also repatriable. This can be done through the sale or licensing of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property.

Advantages of Repatriable

Repatriable has a number of advantages. These include:

  • Increased liquidity: Repatriating funds back to the home nation can increase liquidity, as funds can then be used to invest in the local economy.
  • Increased capital: Repatriating funds back to the home nation can also increase capital, allowing businesses and individuals to invest in more projects and initiatives.
  • Improved financial stability: Repatriating funds back to the home nation can help to improve financial stability, as funds can be used to help balance the budget, fund essential services and support economic growth.
  • Reduced risk of currency fluctuation: Repatriating funds back to the home nation can reduce the risk of currency fluctuation, as funds can be used to buy local currency at a more stable rate.
  • Increased foreign exchange reserves: Repatriating funds back to the home nation can also help to increase foreign exchange reserves, helping to ensure the nation has access to adequate foreign currency.

Limitations of Repatriable

Repatriation is not always possible or desired, as there are certain limitations associated with it. These limitations include:

  • Tax Implications: Repatriation of funds can result in large tax bills if the foreign income is not properly reported. Countries may also have different tax systems, which could lead to double taxation if the repatriated funds are not handled properly.
  • Foreign Exchange Rates: Repatriation of funds is subject to the fluctuating exchange rates. This can lead to a significant decrease or increase in the value of funds when they are repatriated, resulting in a potential loss or gain.
  • Complicated Process: Repatriation of funds from a foreign country can be a complicated process and may involve paperwork, fees and other costs.
  • Political Considerations: In some cases, repatriation may be prohibited due to political considerations, such as economic sanctions or other government policies.

Other approaches related to Repatriable

To have a full understanding of the concept of repatriation, we must also be aware of some related approaches that can be used to acquire repatriation. These approaches include:

  • Capital repatriation - which is the process of converting capital that was held in foreign currencies back into the local currency. This is often used when a company has operations in different countries and needs to move capital between them.
  • Currency repatriation - which is the process of converting foreign currency back into its local equivalent. This is often used by individuals who have received payments in a foreign currency, or when companies need to make payments in a foreign currency.
  • Tax repatriation - which is the process of bringing money earned in a foreign country back to the home country and paying taxes on it.

In summary, repatriation is the process of converting foreign currency or capital back into its local equivalent, or bringing money earned in a foreign country back to the home country and paying taxes on it. It is a necessary process for companies and individuals who have operations or receive payments in foreign currencies.


Repatriable — recommended articles
Fiduciary money — Capital flow — Reserve capital — Classification of financial markets — Money emission — Savings club — Money — Customer deposits — Creation of money

References

Author: Paulina Pisarek

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