With a view to alleviate immediate financing concerns of the Civil Aviation sector, The Centre today said that it will allow them to raise even working capital resources through external commercial borrowings ,ECB route. The Finance Ministry in its statement has said that the ECB made under this provision would have a maximum ceiling of one billion US dollar for the entire Civil Aviation sector and the limit for individual airline would be 300 million US dollar. This limit can be availed either in a lump-sum or in tranches depending upon the utilisation during one year when the facility is available. The proposals of individual companies would require approval of the Reserve Bank which will take into account parameters such as cash flows and capacity to repay the debt from their foreign exchange earnings. In order to increase access to ECBs, RBI would considerrelaxation in the average maturity period for ECBs above USD 20 million from five to three years. This policy decision will provide an additional source of low-cost capital to the airline industry and help them tide over their present financial crunch. RBI is expected to issue relevant notifications within seven days giving effect to these decision.