Is India the New Leader in APAC Real Estate Private Credit?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India ranks second in APAC real estate private credit.
- Accounts for 36% of regional fundraising from 2020-2024.
- Assets under management rose from $0.7 billion to $17.8 billion.
- Projected 20-25% contribution to private credit growth by 2028.
- Shift towards private credit due to tightening bank lending.
Mumbai, Nov 24 (NationPress) India has emerged as a significant player in the rapidly evolving real estate private credit landscape within the Asia-Pacific region, achieving the second position and representing 36 percent of the regional fundraising from 2020 to 2024, according to a recent report.
The findings by Knight Frank indicate that the assets under management in India's private credit sector have surged, escalating from $0.7 billion in 2010 to $17.8 billion in 2023.
Knight Frank projects that India will contribute between 20 and 25 percent of the anticipated $90–110 billion growth in private credit by 2028, fueled by an enhanced investor appetite, policy reforms, and a growing demand from developers for financing outside traditional banks.
This swift growth is bolstered by significant shifts in the financing ecosystem as outlined in the report.
Developers are increasingly looking to private credit and alternative lenders as conventional bank lending tightens and regulatory frameworks adapt.
Global private equity firms, family offices, and institutional investors have swiftly mobilized their capital, drawn by attractive returns and bolstered confidence in India's real estate market.
Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Frank India, stated that India's solid economic standing and evolving regulations have allowed private credit to gain traction.
He also remarked that developers are now relying more on structured financing to fill funding gaps due to the growing demand for housing.
“India’s rise as a prominent private credit market in Asia-Pacific underscores the nation's robust economic fundamentals, regulatory improvements, and increasing participation from institutional investors,” Baijal emphasized.
He noted that the combination of governance enhancements and growth prospects makes India an attractive destination for global capital, particularly when interest rates are elevated in various markets.
The report further emphasizes that India's private credit sector is expanding beyond conventional development financing.
Structured debt, last-mile project financing, and special situation financing are now essential for completing stalled projects and enhancing liquidity across the sector.
This diversification, according to Knight Frank, is fortifying the market's stability and attracting a broader array of investors.