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* Foreign investments into office asset class have consistently mopped up at least USD2.0 bn annually since 2017 except 2021

* Industrial and logistics emerged as the most preferred asset class by foreign investors in 2021, amassing one-third of foreign investments at USD 1.1 bn, surpassing the office sector

* The share of investments from the USA and Canada together has been more than 60% in foreign investments in each of the years since 2017, targeted mainly towards office and industrial asset class

* During 2021, the residential asset class saw a rebound in investments after a lull for two years

During 2017-21, the foreign capital flows in real estate jumped 3X times to USD24.0 bn compared to the preceding five-year period, as per Colliers report “Foreign investments in Indian real estate turn a corner” released in association with FICCI. Over the last five years, global investors have shown an increased inclination towards investment in Indian real estate buoyed by regulatory reforms introduced in 2016.

Foreign investors, who had previously refrained from investing in the Indian real estate market due to the lack of transparency, started investing in the country with greater optimism from 2017. The share of foreign investments in Indian real estate has grown to 82% during 2017- 2021, compared to 37% in the preceding five-year period.

Sector wise foreign investments during 2012-16 and 2017-21 (in USD bn)

Piyush Gupta, Managing Director, Capital Markets and Investment Services, Colliers India

added, “We are witnessing a buoyancy in Global capital inflows in India across asset classes, with office and industrial assets remaining the most preferred. The investors take a long-term view with significant exposure on development assets, reflecting confidence to take construction risks with credible Partners. The investors continue to invest with developers with proven expertise in respective business areas to build and acquire long-term sustainable assets. With residential sales continuing to do well across markets in India and available opportunities to grow for developers, more structured Capital is likely to flow into the sector”.

Office Sector dominant post 2016; Industrial and Logistics leads in 2021

During 2017-21, the Office sector holds the frontline of foreign investments with 43% share in total foreign investments followed by mixed-use sector accounting for 18% share in total foreign investments. The investments in the Industrial and Logistics sector stand at position three surpassing the residential sector. Foreign investors remained cautious about the residential sector in the aftermath of the NBFC crisis and subdued residential sales. The share of residential assets in total foreign investments has reduced to 11% in 2017-2021, from 37% in a preceding five-year period.

“Demand for alternative assets including life science labs, data centres, flex spaces has grown during the pandemic as investors seek new avenues for growth and returns. Data centres garnered a maximum share of 52% of foreign investments in alternatives in last five years. Lack of income producing data centre assets in key locations and scope for future REIT listings will push investors to form new platforms for development opportunities. In the past five years, capital commitments equating USD13.5 bn have been made by global data center operators, corporates, and investors for the development of data centers in India”, says Vimal Nadar, Senior Director, Research, Colliers India.

Office sector grows 3X to USD10.3 bn in 2017-2021

Office sector saw a significant uptick in foreign capital flows post regulatory reforms in 2016, like enhanced transparency, robust demand for Grade A office space and exit avenues like REITs bolstered investments. Foreign investments in the office sector have consistently reached USD2.0 bn in each year since 2017 except in 2021, where the quantum of investments almost halved.

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