Incorporated on Jan. 30, 1997 in Chennai, IDFC was set up on the recommendations of the `expert group on commercialization of infrastructure projects` under the chairmanship of Dr Rakesh Mohan. The group in `The India Infrastructure Report` commended a new approach and identified the need for specialized financial intermediary for infrastructure. IDFC, though promoted by the Government of India, has majority private sector ownership. They provide a wide range of financing products and fee-based services to infrastructure projects and their sponsors. Their products and services include senior debt financing in the form of loans, debentures and securitized debt; other mezzanine products including subordinated debt and preference capital; equity financing; private equity investments and asset management services for third party funds through their subsidiary called IDFC Private Equity.
They also provide non-fund based products such as guarantees and structured facilities like risk participation and debt syndication & advisory services, risk evaluation and the privatization of infrastructure assets and services. IDFC, as on March 31, 2007 on a cumulative basis, has approved financial assistance to 332 projects aggregating over Rs 220,400 million. IDFC has also broadened its initial focus on power, roads, ports and telecommunications to framework of energy, telecommunications and information technology, integrated transportation, urban infrastructure, health care, food and agri- business infrastructure, education infrastructure and tourism. In its sectors of engagement, IDFC has been awarded lead arranger mandates and key advisory assignments.