Mapletree to invest in logistics assets in India

Singapore-based real estate asset manager Mapletree Investment Pte. Ltd is gearing up to invest in the logistics space in India, apart from core office assets. Logistics development is a strategic call for Mapletree, which is looking at creating a long-term investment and development portfolio across key cities. The firm has appointed Souvik Mukherjee to head logistics development in the country and for office investments, and Hardeep Dayal as head of investments and asset management. Mapletree has just concluded the acquisition of Chennai-based information technology park SP Infocity for around Rs 2,400 crore ($333 million), marking its return seven years after it had made its first and only investment in the country. The IT park was co-owned by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Shapoorji Pallonji Investment Advisors. Mapletree plans to adopt a bottom-up approach where it will start by creating a portfolio on its own. As an institutional investor, it typically looks at large acquisitions. In India, it is planning a mix of acquisitions as well as work on brownfield or greenfield projects with select developer partners.