Guest Column

Macro level policies helps India take growth leadership in APAC

Ramesh Nair, CEO and Country Head, JLL India

· Delhi ranks the highest in regional leasing volumes table

· Mumbai amongst the top 3 cities recording largest volumes in supply additions

The first quarter in 2018 saw strong office leasing trends in Asia Pacific as last year’s promising performance that carried into 2018. Overall leasing was up by 12% y-o-y with the office sector making up half of all transaction volumes. India returned to a growth leadership position within Asia Pacific region, after a period of slack, aided by increased consumption and supportive domestic policy. Delhi registered highest regional leasing volumes, followed by Bengaluru, Hong Kong, and Beijing which also recorded high volumes.

APAC Q1 Net Absorption was up by a strong 46% y-o-y on upbeat business sentiment. Healthy occupational demand was seen, with Mumbai recording strongest space take-up in Asia Pacific along with Shanghai and Beijing. In Mumbai, absorption was up by 39% y-o-y with demand for office spaces driven by financials and professional services. Delhi also witnessed a strong leasing momentum with net absorption up by 22.6% y-o-y.

Total supply across Asia Pacific went up by 15% y-o-y with Mumbai recording one of the largest volumes in supply additions. Investment activity also reached a new record at USD 40 Billion, which was up 34% y-o-y. India delivered a healthy –level of deal flow and supported the overall regional volume.

Traditionally a slower growth period, Q1 2018 did see the strong office leasing trend with the top cities of India recording close to 7 million square feet of leasing. This when compared to the corresponding period in 2017 was higher by over 60%. Delhi saw a year – on – year (y-o-y) rise of 84%.

Quarter – wise break up of Net Absorption (‘000)

Net Absorption (‘000 sft)

Mumbai

Delhi

Bangalore

Chennai

Hyderabad

Kolkata

Pune

India

1Q17

1195

758

1572

355

291

4260

2Q17

1287

1010

1736

397

1987

745

703

7864

3Q17

1611

1450

2557

445

1159

420

7710

4Q17

2513

1140

1647

267

1458

120

1747

8893

1Q18

1968

1398

1541

498

278

1109

6843

Source: JLL Research

For the rest of the year, a strong uptick in demand is likely in India, backed by ongoing space enquiries and pre-commitments from technology occupiers. We are expecting a generally modest growth in rents and capital values driven by quality upcoming and existing buildings. With India’s GDP forecast pegged at 7.3 % for 2018, inflationary pressure is expected to remain elevated, but solid fundamentals will help shield the economy from possible short term effects, keeping growth at a healthy pace

Indian office transaction is experiencing a growth in overall leasing activities. While net absorption have remained stable for the last few years, we expect it to be at approximate 32 million square feet (msf) by end of 2018 and be close to 35 msf in the subsequent two years till end of 2020.

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About JLL India:

JLL is India’s premier and largest professional services firm specializing in real estate. With estimated revenue for FY 2017-18 expected to be ~INR 3,200 crores, the firm is growing from strength to strength in India for over the past 20 years. JLL has an extensive geographic footprint across 10 cities (Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi and Coimbatore) and a staff strength of over 9,500. The firm provides investors, developers, local corporates and multinational companies with a comprehensive range of services. This includes research, strategic advisory and consultancy, capital markets, transaction management, project and development services, integrated facilities management, property and asset management. These services cover various asset classes such as commercial, residential, industrial, retail, warehouse and logistics, hospitality, healthcare, senior living and education.

JLL India won the Five-Star Award for Best Property Consultancy at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2018 -19. The Firm was recognised as one of the Best Places to Work in India 2017 in the annual survey of ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For’ – a joint study conducted by Great Place to Work® and The Economic Times. It has also been acknowledged as ‘Property Consultant of the Decade’ at the 10th CNBC-Awaaz Real Estate Awards 2015. For further information, please visit www.jll.co.in