Thursday, January 11, 2007: The real estate market is flushing with funds from overseas. Eager to cash in on opportunities in India, major asset management firms from abroad are investing in the local market. Industry sources say over 90 foreign investors are already in the country tapping investment avenues.

Figures are expected to touch $10 billion in the first half of 2007, confirms Cushman and Wakefield, with Ayala of the Philippines, Signature from Dubai, Och-Ziff Capital, EurIndia and Old Lane entering India shortly.

Funds from Malaysia is expected to be sizeable, and UK, US, Israel and Singapore are likely to funding in Indian real estate soon, Judges Pranav Ansal of Ansal Properties and Infrastructure.

FII is expected to have over 75-80 first time investors in India. Signature from Dubai has $650 million investment plan for the UAE and India, Duetsche Asset Management and Actis are actively setting up teams to start investing in real estate in India. Carlyle, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley, Trikona and Warbus Pincus are vigorously exploring investment options too.

The realty sector will witness $90 billion worth investment by 2015, predict experts from Merrill Lynch.