Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Unitech to raise $2-3 bn overseas to fund projects, expansion

Unitech Ltd, the second largest real estate firm in India by market capitalization, is looking to float a Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) in an overseas market to raise $2-3 billion (about Rs8,000-12,000 crore) to meet its expansion plans.

Unitech and its investment arm will sell a stake in the six special purpose vehicles (SPV) that currently own six commercial properties to the Reit.
This trust could likely be listed in Singapore, though Hong Kong or the London Stock Exchange are also options, R. Nagaraju, general manager, corporate planning, Unitech, said.

The Reit will be listed in the later half of 2008, after a portion of the construction work in each of the various projects is completed.Reits, common in several developed countries, use money from investors to purchase and manage property. They are traded on major exchanges just like stocks. They are also granted special tax considerations and enable sharing in non-residential properties as well, such as hotels, malls, and other commercial or industrial properties that yield rental income. Much of the income from the properties owned by Reits is shared among its investors.

Unitech’s Reit will acquire a 60% stake in each of the six SPV’s created for the six commercial projects that Unitech is developing,. This stake is currently held by Unitech Corporate Parks Plc.

Read more in The Livemint article.

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