108 REAL ESTATE Expands into India, assisting European and American developers
Fueled by demand from European and American developers and investors, real estate consultancy 108 REAL ESTATE has expanded into India. A new office in Delhi, the bustling Indian metropolis, will provide comprehensive professional services to companies tempted by the opportunities in the Indian real estate market. This expansion goes beyond the CEE region - the company's decision to enter Asia was driven by strong interest from clients in the US, UK, and Western Europe, leveraging their existing alliance with BNP Paribas Real Estate.
According to Branislav Jendek, Managing Partner of 108 REAL ESTATE in Slovakia, who spearheaded the expansion into India, current conditions are ideal. The Indian government's ongoing efforts to improve conditions for foreign investors are attracting big global players like Panattoni, GLP, and Prologis.
"In India, we want to synergistically leverage our long-standing and high-quality relationships with those partners in the CEE markets," explains Branislav Jendek.
In the first phase, the Indian branch of 108 REAL ESTATE will focus primarily on consulting related to the construction and occupation of production facilities, warehouses, and offices. This segment aligns perfectly with India's growing economy, as explained by Jakub Holec, Director of 108 REAL ESTATE. Favorable demographics, with a population reaching 1.428 billion in 2023, and a growing economy fueling purchasing power, are key drivers.
"At the same time, we want to create comfortable enough conditions for our clients on the Indian market to withstand strong competition, especially from China," Jakub Holec calculates.
Priority will be given to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, which are experiencing a boom in their manufacturing sectors. This sector accounted for a significant portion (24%) of net industrial space leasing in 2023, with a total of 4.6 million sq m leased. The logistics (3PL) sector follows closely behind, with retail and FMCG/FMCD coming next. The total supply of modern industrial space around major Indian cities stands at over 38.3 million sq m.
"The middle class in India is getting richer, driving demand for new, better quality products," says Mayur Tomar, Indian consultant at 108 REAL ESTATE. "This will necessitate facilities for production, storage, and dispatch. The Indian government is actively encouraging investors to set up plants and is investing heavily in building infrastructure to support this growth." Mayur Tomar brings a wealth of experience from his time at Colliers, Flipspaces, and Quikr in the UK after graduating from Birmingham City University.
In addition to comprehensive commercial industrial real estate advisory services, 108 REAL ESTATE INDIA plans to gradually expand its services to other segments, including land transactions and investments. This bilateral nature of the subsidiary is evident in the investment area. According to Jakub Holec, the Indian team is already in contact with potential local companies and entrepreneurs interested in investing in Europe. These investors are looking beyond standard rental properties, considering options like entering existing companies or acquiring industrial infrastructure.
The vast size of India, with cities like Delhi and Mumbai separated by almost 1,500 kilometers, necessitates a focused approach. Initially, 108 REAL ESTATE will concentrate on the market around major metropolises. Gradually, activities will expand to Mumbai on the west coast, the east coast of India, and the city and region of Pune, which has a strong tradition in car and component manufacturing, offering exciting potential for European automotive players.
108 REAL ESTATE's expansion into Asia coincides with its 15th anniversary. The company continues to expand its network of offices in Europe and leverage its strong alliance with BNP Paribas Real Estate.