Listing of Realty Investment Trusts will improve liquidity: Credai

Industry body Credai has welcomed the proposal by market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to allow listing of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

Reviving a five-year old proposal, Sebi on Thursday issued draft norms for REITs, a popular investment vehicle in many parts of the world.

REITs are similar to mutual funds except that investments would be on real estate assets that generate rental income.

Credai said the move is a positive step and will help improve liquidity position of developers. The industry body would soon submit suggestion on the draft guidelines.

In a statement, Credai Chairman Lalit Kumar Jain welcomed the "much awaited move" on allowing REITs in India. "REIT will definitely be a positive step for the sector since liquidity position of developers could increase."

REIT will also result in increased inflow of foreign funds for the sector, which is "struggling" for funds in view of the RBI restrictions and negative weightage given to real estate, he added.

Jain, however, called for some clarity on taxation issues around the instrument from the finance ministry.

Sebi has asked stakeholders to give their comments on the draft guidelines by end of this month.

"Credai will soon submit developers' viewpoint to Sebi," he added.

Property consultant Knight Frank India Chief Economist & Director, Research, Samantak Das said Sebi's decision to revive the proposal to allow REITs after five years gives a strong signal that the regulator is going to operationalise the REITs market in India on high priority basis.

He added: "This is a very positive move which will enhance the depth of the country's real estate market and will give financing and exit options to developers on one hand and avenues for investors on the other. The timing of this move is also very important keeping in mind the prevailing paucity of funds coupled with the ongoing slowdown in the economic growth."

Cushman & Wakefield Executive Managing Director South Asia Sanjay Dutt said the REITs, once implemented, would revive substantial investor interest from domestic and global investors in India's currently subdued real estate markets.