3i to put in $40 mn in Piramal offshore fund

European private equity major 3i Group is set to invest $40 million (about Rs 190 crore) in India-focused real estate venture fund, Indiareit. It is a Mauritius-based offshore fund recently launched by the Ajay Piramal group.

The investment marks 3i's foray into the country's real estate market. Post investment, 3i Managing Director and Co-head (Asia) Mark Thornton will be appointed to the investment committee of Indiareit Fund.

Indiareit started the $160 mn offshore fund soon after the launch of its domestic venture capital fund with a corpus of Rs 350 crore in the country early this year.

While Indiareit's domestic fund would make investments in real estate projects in the country, the offshore fund would only focus on the FDI related projects in the country.

The investment objective of Indiareit will continue to be long-term capital appreciation by means of equity participation in specific real estate projects based on identified sectoral gaps across residential, commercial and retail segments in various locations.

According to Ajay Piramal, chairman, Piramal Enterprises, Indiareit will benefit from 3i's proprietary systems and procedures and its international exposure in the venture capital business, whereas 3i will be able to understand and appreciate the domestic realty market through the strong Indiareit management.