Commercial real estate preferred asset class for investors: report

New Delhi, Oct 18 (Bureau) Commercial assets segment has emerged as the most preferred segment to attract investor interest with foreign funds continuing to eclipse India-dedicated funds in the total investment pie, said a FICCI-Vestian report released on Tuesday. As per the report, institutional investment in the country’s real estate sector was recorded at a total amount of $27.8 billion during the period 2018 to September 2022 (YTD). “Foreign funds have been funneling substantial quantum of investment into the Indian realty sector, thus depicting their increasing confidence level in the sector post the new reformatory measures. Among the foreign investors, a number of US-based and Singaporean PE firms have been observed to be remarkably active, accounting for majority of the PE investment during the period 2018-YTD 2022,” the report said.

The report noted that commercial assets accounted for a 60% share of total investment in the sector during January-September 2022. The FICCI-Vestian report highlighted that despite the restraints instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant constricted business environment, the period encompassing 2020 till YTD 2022 saw an announced investment value of nearly $13.9 billion in the Indian real estate sector. It said that despite the pandemic-induced uncertainties co-working space segment’s share in total absorption increased from 10% in 2018 to 18% in 2022 (YTD). “The segment is expected to account for a larger market share, given significant changes in workspace dynamics due to technology, innovative space design and flexibility preferences,” the report said. The share of affordable and luxury housing in total investment in residential assets stood at 28% and 38% in 2022(YTD).