The Securities and Exchange Board of India – SEBI today issued draft guidelines for setting up of infrastructure investment trusts. These trusts will allow companies to monetize their infrastructure projects and will also get certain tax benefits. It will allow investors to invest in specific products linked to infrastructure projects, while providing necessary safeguards. The trust will constitute of parties such as sponsor, investment manager, trustee and project manager. According to SEBI, the proposed holding of an infrastructure investment trust in the underlying assets shall be not less than Rs 500 crore. Further, listing on stock exchanges shall be mandatory for both publicly offered and privately placed investment trusts. SEBI has sought public comments on these draft rules by 24th July. Earlier this month, finance minister Arun Jaitley had announced tax incentives for real estate investment trusts and infrastructure investment trusts in his budget address to attract foreign investment for the sector.