Real Estate in India

India Property

February 8th, 2008 at 6:30 am

Why Emaar MGF is a big bet for investors

The recent meltdown and the following volatility in the broader markets has left two sets of believers on the streets: one set believes in bubbles, and expects them to burst at periodic intervals, while the other believes there is a fundamental reason innate to these so-called bubbles, which is the strong undercurrent of robust domestic macroeconomic growth.

For the latter set of believers, it is just a matter of conviction in the Indian growth story, while for the former worries about a correction and the bursting of such bubbles.For some sectors of the economy, however, these divergent sets of investors align together. With a little bit of apprehension about a correction in prices in some pockets, we would like to include the Indian real estate too, in this league.

Here’s why: the perennial demand-supply mismatch is likely to continue in the near future.

Though real estate buyers, and more so, investors may delay their buying decision, there is middle class demand, which has taken wings due to the rise of sectors like information technology (IT), IT-enabled services and financial services.

More recently, creation of manufacturing hubs in places such as Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, Manesar in Haryana and Ludhiana in Punjab make one approve of this trend.

With the rate cuts announced by the US Federal Reserve, domestic rates too are expected to soften. An interest rate cut would mean cheaper home loans and thus higher demand for real estate.

Most real estate developers are gearing up for this upsurge in demand by laying out plans to construct millions of square feet (sq ft) in various sizes and shapes, across the country. But, there are a handful of developers in India, who have the scale and pace to set up shop in every nook and corner of the vast geography.

The markets have witnessed a rally in realty stocks in both directions last year, as well as the listings of a number of players including the largest of all — DLF. Now, Emaar MGF Land is set to join this league, with its plans to raise around Rs 6,000 crore via an IPO.

Two, tango

Emaar MGF Land is a joint venture (JV) between Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC and Delhi-based MGF Development, incorporated in 2005. Emaar � better known as the company which built the Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest tower, has a global presence with operations in 16 countries, while MGF is a 10-year old real estate developer from North India with developments like City Square Mall, MGF Metropolitan in Delhi, The Plaza and Megacity in Gurgaon to its credit.

Now, the Emaar MGF JV has acquired over 13,000 acres all over the country and plans to develop it into integrated townships, residential apartments, commercial � retail and office spaces, hotels and hospitals.

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