Unitech plans sale of assets to raise funds

In a bid to tide over the current financial crisis, Unitech, the second largest real estate developer in the country, is planning to raise money by selling some of its assets, such as hotels and commercial real estate.

The company, which currently has a debt of Rs 8,200 crore, is also planning to rope in private equity funds for residential projects by March 2009. In addition, it will transfer Rs 1,200 crore of debt to its telecom joint venture.
Talking to Business Standard, Unitech Chairman Ramesh Chandra said the company would raise around Rs 1,500 crore from sale of hotels and commercial space. Besides, it will transfer Rs 1,200 crore of debt to its telecom joint venture and will also realise Rs 300 crore as debt repayment from the joint venture. Unitech had lent Rs 820 crore to the joint venture and given a guarantee for another Rs 1,200 crore.
“By January, Unitech will raise Rs 2,500 crore through these routes,” said Chandra. The company has also decided to sell its plots to schools and hospitals. The company has around 27 plots, mostly of five acres each, and another 15 plots earmarked for hospitals.
Unitech is aiming to divest three of its hotels projects that are nearing completion. Depending upon the success of negotiations, these projects may be divested by 2009. It is already at an advanced stage of discussion to sell Courtyard by Marriot, the 199-room budget hotel in Gurgaon, and expects to close the transaction before January.

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