country condos ltd Management discussions

OVERVIEW:

The Real Estate Sector is one of the most globally recognized sectors. Its impact on the overall economy has been deepening over the past few years, mainly because of the rising population on the demand side and enhanced government initiatives as an enabler. The growth of this sector is well complemented by the growth of the corporate environment and the demand for office space as well as urban and semi-urban accommodations. The construction industry ranks third among 14 major sectors in terms of direct, indirect and induced effects in all sectors of the economy.

The Indian economy continued to exhibit steady growth and remained among the fastest growing emerging economies, with a focus on the continued implementation of structural and financial sector reforms and efforts to reduce public debt.

The Central Bank continuously eased the monetary policy following recent cuts in interest rates. However, full benefits are yet to be transmitted to the industry, which may lead to increased investments. Strong measures are being implemented to strengthen the country s financial sector (especially banks) through the accelerated resolution of non-performing assets under a simplified bankruptcy framework.

In India, real estate is the second largest employer after agriculture and is slated to grow at 30 percent over the next decade. It is also expected that this sector will incur more non-resident Indian (NRI) investments in both the short term and the long term. Bengaluru is expected to be the most favored property investment destination for NRIs, followed by Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, Delhi and Dehradun.

ECONOMIC REVIEW:

GLOBAL ECONOMY:

The baseline forecast is for growth to fall from 3.4% in 2022 to 2.8% in 2023, before settling at 3.0% in 2024. Advanced economies are expected to see an especially pronounced growth slowdown, from 2.7% in 2022 to 1.3% in 2023. With further financial sector stress, global growth declines to about 2.5% in 2023 with advanced economy growth falling below 1.0%.

Global headline inflation in the baseline is set to fall from 8.7% in 2022 to 7.0% in 2023 on the back of lower commodity prices but underlying (core) inflation is likely to decline more slowly. Inflation s return to target is unlikely before 2025 in most cases.

A series of severe shocks struck the world economy in 2022. With the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic still reverberating worldwide, the war in Ukraine ignited a new crisis, disrupting food & energy markets, leading to a worldwide surge in inflation causing an erosion of real incomes and economic hardships. Persistently high inflation, prompted a synchronized aggressive monetary tightening across economies. Rising interest rates and diminishing purchasing power have weakened consumer confidence and investor sentiments, further clouding near-term growth prospects for the world economy. Growth momentum has weakened in the United States, the European Union and other developed economies with many European countries projected to experience a mild recession in 2023. Due to elevated energy costs, high inflation and tighter financial conditions, the world output growth is projected to decelerate from an estimated 3 percent in 2022 to only 1.9 percent in 2023, marking one of the lowest growth rates in recent decades.

INDIAN ECONOMY:

India s growth continues to be resilient despite some signs of moderation in growth, although significant challenges remain in the global environment, India was one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

The overall growth remains robust and is estimated to be 6.9% for the full year with real GDP growing 7.7% year on year during the first three quarters of FY 2022-23. There were some signs of moderation in the second half of FY 2022-23. Growth was underpinned by strong investment activity bolstered by the government s capex push and buoyant private consumption, particularly among higher income earners. Inflation remained high, averaging around 6.7% in FY 2022-23 but the current account deficit narrowed in Q3 on the back of strong growth in service exports and easing global commodity prices.

The World Bank has revised its FY 2023-24 GDP forecast to 6.3% from 6.6% (December 2022). Growth is expected to be constrained by slower consumption growth and challenging external conditions. Rising borrowing costs and slower income growth will weigh on private consumption growth and government consumption is projected to grow at a slower pace due to the withdrawal of pandemic related fiscal support measures.

Although headline inflation is elevated, it is projected to decline to an average of 5.2% in FY 2023-24, amid easing global commodity prices and some moderation in domestic demand. The Reserve Bank of India has withdrawn accommodative measures to rein in inflation by hiking the policy interest rate. India s financial sector also remains strong, buoyed by improvements in asset quality and robust private sector credit growth.

The central government is likely to meet its fiscal deficit target of 5.9% of GDP in FY 2023-24 and combined with consolidation in state government deficits, the general government deficit is also projected to decline. As a result, the debt to GDP ratio is projected to stabilize. On the external front, the current account deficit is projected to narrow to 2.1% of GDP from an estimated 3.0% in FY 2022-23 on the back of robust service exports and a narrowing merchandise trade deficit.

Spillover from recent developments in financial markets in the US and Europe pose a risk to short-term investment flows to emerging markets, including India.

The current global economic slowdown cuts across both developed and developing countries. The Indian Economy which has undergone transformative new age reforms in recent years absorbed the economic shocks with resilience.

However, the economic performance in 2022 started on a very slow note recovering from the aftermath of global economic shocks and the growth rate moderated at 6.4%. The efforts of Government of India including health and safety measures, financial incentives and a sustained increase in the capital expenditure and incentivized boost to infrastructure development projects underpinned by private players, have placed the country on the path of fast paced recovery, ahead of many nations. The industry showed robust growth, particularly in the second-half of 2022-23, with Index of Industrial Production (IIP) accelerated to 5.6 percent year-on-year in February 2023.

Despite of war in Ukraine and the staggering inflation, the Indian equity market had a comparatively stellar year. The government s focus on infrastructure development with initiatives like the National Infrastructure Pipeline and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan are expected to create opportunities and the GDP is expected to remain around 6.7% in 2023-24. However, the effects of geo-political tension rising around the world pose a threat to the economic growth of the Country and clouds of uncertainty are still hovering around World economic growth.

Under PM GatiShakti Master Plan, the National Highway Network will develop 25,000 Kilometers of new highways network which will be worth 20,000 Crore (US$ 2.67 billion) in FY 2022-23. Increased government expenditure is expected to attract private investments, with a production-linked incentive scheme providing excellent opportunities. Consistently proactive, graded and measured policy support is anticipated to boost the Indian economy.

India is the third largest unicorn base in the world with over 83 unicorns collectively valued at US$ 277.77 billion, as per the Economic Survey. By 2025, India is expected to have 100 unicorns, which will create ~1.1 million direct jobs according to the Nasscom-Zinnov report Indian Tech Start-up .

A number of sectors in India real estate, steel, cement, home building products and consumer durables, among others -reported unprecedented growth. Real estate sector in India is expected to reach US$ 1 trillion in market size by 2030, up from US$ 200 billion in 2023 and contribute 13% to the country s GDP by 2025. Retail, hospitality and commercial real estate are also growing significantly, providing the much-needed infrastructure for India s growing needs.

As per IMF s latest World Economic Outlook projections, India s real GDP projected to grow at 7.1 percent in 2023-2024, which would make India the fastest growing major economy in the world for next 3 years.

INDUSTRY REVIEW:

The real estate sector is one of the most globally recognized sectors. The real estate sector comprises four sub sectors -housing, retail, hospitality and commercial. The growth of this sector is well complemented by the growth of the corporate environment and the demand for office space as well as urban and semi-urban accommodations. The construction industry ranks third among the 14 major sectors in terms of direct, indirect and induced effects in all sectors of the economy.

The residential real estate market in India had astounding progress in 2022, setting new sales records of 68% year on year, further demonstrating the industry s prominence as one of India s fastest growing industries. After 2 years of being affected by COVID, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities have arisen as fresh major real estate trends in 2022, and the real estate market has set unprecedented benchmarks which continued its growth momentum from 2021 amid the global slowdown.

In 2014, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given its approval for the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) platform, which has allowed all kind of investors to invest in the Indian real estate market. It would create an opportunity worth 1.25 trillion (US$ 19.65 billion) in the Indian market in the coming years. Responding to an increasingly well-informed consumer base and bearing in mind the aspect of globalization, Indian real estate developers have shifted gears and accepted fresh challenges. The most marked change has been the shift from family-owned businesses to that of professionally managed ones. Real estate developers, in meeting the growing need for managing multiple projects across cities, are also investing in centralized processes to source material and organise manpower and hiring qualified professionals in areas like project management, architecture and engineering.

The growing flow of FDI in Indian real estate is encouraging increased transparency. Developers, in order to attract funding, have revamped their accounting and management systems to meet due diligence standards. Indian real estate is expected to attract a substantial amount of FDI in the next two years with US$ 8 billion capital infusion by FY24.

Residential real estate in the country s top seven property markets has staged a comeback with sales exceeding pre-pandemic levels, driven by record-low interest rates, discounts offered by developers, lower prices and stamp duty cuts in key areas.

The improved sales momentum has lifted confidence among realty developers, pushing them to launch more projects as indicated by the rise in new offerings across markets.

Indian real estate sector has witnessed high growth in the recent times with rise in demand for office as well as residential spaces. Government of India along with the governments of respective States has taken several initiatives to encourage development in the sector. The Smart City Project, with a plan to build 100 smart cities, is a prime opportunity for real estate companies.

The residential sector is expected to grow significantly, with the central government aiming to build 20 million affordable houses in urban areas across the country by 2024, under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Expected growth in the number of housing units in urban areas will increase the demand for commercial and retail office space.

India s real estate sector is witnessing a healthy increase in demand in 2024 and this momentum is expected to hold for the rest of the year. From commercial spaces to the residential market, the overall market outlook is a bright one for the real estate industry.

Real Estate Sector

The Indian real estate sector was expected to start recovering in 2020 after few lackluster years wherein the sector was impacted by multiple reforms and the changes brought about by Demonetisation, RERA, GST and the NBFC crisis. It has been a tough task for the sector to align itself with these externalities, but the measures have resulted in much needed transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline for the sector. Prior to the pandemic, the real estate sector was expected to contribute around 13% of India s GDP by 2025 (from around 6-7% in 2017), according to ANAROCK Research.

The pandemic nearly stalled the markets in H1 2020 and the sector was virtually written off at the early stages of the pandemic on the expectations of a subsequent economic fallout. However, during this unprecedented crisis, the real estate sector exhibited remarkable resilience and recovered ahead of expectations. After grappling with initial labor shortages and demand deferment, both the residential and office markets witnessed signs of revival from Q3 2023 onwards.

While the pandemic outbreak temporarily disrupted the sector, it also led to emergence of certain trends such as preference for larger apartments, increasing inclination for home ownership as against rental housing, de-densification of office spaces and acceleration of the ongoing consolidation in the sector. Also, the current situation has opened up a lot of business development opportunities for well capitalised developers.

Residential Real Estate Market

The Indian residential sector has been under pressure due to tepid demand in the past few years and the pandemic has further worsened the situation for the sector. While the sector was finding its way post the liquidity crisis and earlier disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic threw upon an unprecedented crisis and nearly stalled the housing market in the first half of the year. However, contrary to everyone s expectations the residential market proved to be resilient and started recovering strongly from Q3 2023 onwards. Larger established players with easy access to funding and technological edge gained market share during the year. Stagnant housing prices coupled with decadal low interest rates helped the residential sector to stage a meaningful recovery. The sales momentum was particularly strong in many parts of the country, led by time bound stamp duty cuts and a 50% reduction in the construction premiums for all ongoing projects and new launches by the Maharashtra Government and many other State Governments.

According to the Knight Frank affordability matrix, affordability for the top eight cities has improved over the last few years with rising income levels and time correction in the housing sector. An EMI/Income ratio of over 50% is considered unaffordable according to the matrix and most cities have witnessed a dramatic increase in affordability due to decadal low interest rates.

Office Market

The office market in India has been vibrant over the past few years, with record supply and leasing transactions hitting the market. The market was expected to continue its positive momentum in CY2023; however the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns resulted into a new set of challenges for the office sector. The corporate tenants were forced to adopt work from home practices and major real estate leasing decisions were delayed. Business activities across all markets came to a standstill because of the pandemic and the phased resumption in a weak economic environment heavily impacted the office demand. The transactions gathered momentum towards the last quarter with gradual recovery in the economy and improved sentiments on the news of potential vaccination in the country. Bangalore office market continued to be resilient, recording leasing transactions to the tune of 12.3 Million sq. ft., which was nearly one-third of the total leasing transactions in the top-8 cities in CY2023.

Interest deduction benefit on affordable housing

The Government in its attempt to boost affordable housing demand, proposed to extend additional tax benefit of H 1.5 Lakh on interest paid on affordable housing loans by one year till March 2024.

Tax holiday extended for affordable housing developers

In order to encourage developers to focus on affordable housing projects, the Government extended the date of approval for these projects for availing tax holiday on profits earned by developers by one year till March 2024.

Rental housing for migrant workers

The government has provided a tax exemption for notified rental housing projects for migrant workers which will facilitate supply and demand for affordable housing.

REIT regulation changes

The government has removed Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) on dividends paid to REITs, which will bring down the administrative burden for REITs. Additionally, the government has proposed to enable debt financing of InVITs/REITs by foreign portfolio investors by making suitable amendments in the relevant legislations which will open up additional avenues of funding at competitive rates.

OPPORTUNITIES, THREATS AND CHALLENGES:

OPPORTUNITIES:

As India awaits policy reforms to pick up speed, your Company firmly believes that the demand for Real Estate in a country like India should remain strong in the medium to long term. Your Company s well accepted brand, contemporary architecture, well designed projects in strategic locations, strong balance sheet and stable financial performance even in testing times make it a preferred choice for customers and shareholders. Your Company is ideally placed to further strengthen its development potential by acquiring new land parcels.

Real estate sector in India is expected to reach US$ 1 trillion by 2030. By 2025, it will contribute 13 per cent to country s GDP. Emergence of nuclear families, rapid urbanization and rising household income are likely to remain the key drivers for growth in all spheres of real estate, including residential, commercial and retail. Rapid urbanization in the country is pushing the growth of real estate. Indian real estate developers have shifted gears and accepted fresh challenges.

As India awaits policy reforms to pick up speed, your Company firmly believes that the demand for Real Estate in a country like India should remain strong in the medium to long term. Your Company s well accepted brand, contemporary architecture, well designed projects in strategic locations, strong balance sheet and stable financial performance even in testing times make it a preferred choice for customers and shareholders. Your Company is ideally placed to further strengthen its development potential by acquiring new land parcels.

India has emerged as the fastest growing major economy in the world and is expected to be one of the top three economic powers in the world over the next 10-15 years, backed by its robust democracy and strong partnerships. Despite the slowdown in global manufacturing trade growth, COVID-19 Pandemic, followed by lockdown and social distancing norms and further followed by geopolitical tensions due to the Russia-Ukraine War, the economic growth of India was ensured by the government through various financial stimulus packages, announced by the Government of India and the focus on infrastructural development and implementation of new age technology in manufacturing and production sector to make India self-reliant. Also, India s cabinet approved the Production Linked Incentives (PLI) scheme to provide 2 trillion over five years to create jobs and boost production in the country. The financial stimulus measures and reforms initiated by the Government of India and liquidity measures by the RBI are expected to support industrial activity and demand. The movement of various high frequency indicators in recent months, points towards broad based resurgence of economic activity.

Consolidation

The highly fragmented Indian real estate sector has been in a prolonged consolidation phase in the past few years; albeit at a slower pace. The reforms and the disruptions in the real estate sector have ensured that no new player has an easy entry into the sector. Even the existing developers have been under pressure with lackluster sales, high borrowing costs and lack of pricing power. The liquidity crisis worsened the situation for the sector and the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine War has accelerated the process of consolidation. The pandemic has opened up new avenues of growth for well capitalised developers in terms of attractive business development opportunities and online digital sales.

Affordable housing

Affordable housing continues to remain a significant opportunity for developers and key focus area of the government. In Budget 2023, the government announced several measures to boost affordable housing. In its attempt to boost the affordable housing demand, the government has proposed to extend additional tax benefit of H 1.5 Lakh on interest paid on affordable housing loans by one more year till March 2024. Also, in order to encourage developers to focus on affordable housing projects, the Government has extended the date of approval for these projects for availing tax holiday on profit earned by developers by one year till March 2024. The affordable housing segment could see a meaningful uptick in demand with an expected economic recovery, improving wages and affordability. Lastly, Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHCs) have been accorded as a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri AWAS Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) to provide ease of living to urban migrants engaged in the informal sectors of the economy.

Digital Real Estate Sales

Over the past few years, digital marketing has emerged as an important tool for real estate developers to boost their sales and reach out to customers globally. While the earlier marketing activities were limited to building consumer experience and establishing connection through digital means, the pandemic has forced the developers to change their conventional sales models.

Developers who have been able to migrate their sales process from on-boarding of customers to closing the deal online, have recorded healthy sales even during the lockdown. Digital collaboration tools can be leveraged by the developers to interact with potential customers, showcase project brochures, facilitate virtual site tours and focus on NRIs to propel the sales. Going ahead, it will be imperative for the developers to adapt to a tech-savvy future in terms of digital platforms for sales and marketing and also introduce enhanced automation at sites.

THREATS & CHALLENGES:

While the management of your Company is confident of creating and exploiting the opportunities, it also finds the following challenges:

• Unanticipated delays in project approvals;

• Availability of accomplished and trained labour force;

• Increased cost of manpower;

• Rising cost of construction lead by increase in commodity prices;

• Growth in auxiliary infrastructure facilities; and

• Over regulated environment.

Indian real estate sector accounts for 13 per cent of the country s Gross Domestic Product and is one of the biggest and globally recognized sectors. The Indian real estate sector is still dependent on old building techniques and hence they are over-dependent on extensive human labour for construction activities. Whereas, high-quality building materials such as concrete and iron slabs are used in new construction techniques. India is touted to be the most populous country by the year 2050. More than 50 per cent of people are urban center and Tier 1 cities. To accommodate the population, India would require more new cities and urban center on a mass scale in order to provide the required resources to the inhabitants.

The geo-political war in Ukraine, a slowing global economy, tightening fiscal policy mired with badly managed/failure of few major players in banking and finance sectors around the world suggest a possible moderation in business confidence and investment. Uncertainty over the global trade environment and volatility in the financial markets have softened the global trade and protracted war in Ukraine poses further downside risks to this forecast. The short-term economic outlook for many European countries has deteriorated sharply giving headwinds for mild recession.

The growth in Asian economies, though stronger than in other regions, with re-opening of China s economy, is expected to be bumpy and is likely to remain below the pre-pandemic rate. The prospects for Indian economies are far more challenging, as other economies in the region viz. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have sought financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2022-23.

Regulatory Hurdles

The real estate sector is a highly regulated sector and any unfavorable changes in government policies and the regulatory environment can adversely impact the performance of the sector. There are substantial procedural delays with regards to land acquisition, land use, project launches and construction approvals. Retrospective policy changes and regulatory bottlenecks may impact profitability and affect the attractiveness of the sector and companies operating within the sector.

Funding

The lending to real estate developers by the NBFCs and HFCs was already limited after the IL&FS crisis and the pandemic has further deteriorated the liquidity situation for weaker developers who had to resort to alternative funding in absence of long term loans from banks. However, Grade-I developers with strong balance sheets continue to enjoy ample liquidity access. Going ahead, the funding situation is likely to remain selective towards the reputed developers and majority of developers will have to rely on cash flow generation from project sales.

Shortage of Manpower & Technology The real estate sector is heavily dependent on manual labour. During the pandemic, the sector was badly hit due to reverse migration of construction workers which affected the construction activity severely, leading to delayed timelines for project completion. Hence, there is a need for development of technologically less labour intensive alternative methods of construction.

COMPANY STRENGTHS:

Your Company continues to capitalize on the market opportunities by leveraging its key strengths. These include:

1. Brand Reputation: Enjoys higher recall and influences the buying decision of the customer. Strong customer connects further results in higher premium realizations.

2. Execution: Possesses a successful track record of quality execution of projects with contemporary architecture.

3. Strong cash flows: Has built a business model that ensures continuous cash flows from their investment and development properties ensuring a steady cash flow even during the adverse business cycles.

4. Significant leveraging opportunity: Follows conservative debt practice coupled with enough cash balance which provides a significant leveraging opportunity for further expansions.

5. Outsourcing: Operates an outsourcing model of appointing globally renowned architects/contractors that allows scalability and emphasizes contemporary design and quality construction a key factor of success.

6. Transparency: Follows a strong culture of corporate governance and ensures transparency and high levels of business ethics.

7. Highly qualified execution team: Employs experienced, capable and highly qualified design and project management teams who oversee and execute all aspects of project development.

HUMAN RESOURCES:

The timely availability of skilled and technical personnel is one of the key challenges. The Company maintains healthy and motivating work environment through various measures. This has helped the Company to recruit and retain skilled work force which would result in timely completion of the projects. The Company has cordial relation with the employees and contractors of the company. The staff has the depth of experience and skills to handle company s activities. Skilled team of workers and other professionals ensure superior quality standards during every stage of work. The total employee strength as on March 31, 2023 was 77.

Performance Management System:

Your Company has adopted a holistic approach to the performance management process that focuses on three broad categories - Nurture & Engage, Connect & Coach, Capability Building & Development.

The process begins with the Annual Goal Setting exercise that provides clarity to all employees about their targets. Goal setting ensures a commitment from all employees to achieve higher business milestones and alignment to the organization s goals at a macro level. The process is followed by a formal Mid Year Review and the Annual Review and Rating exercise.

The essence of the performance management process is Continuous Performance Management (CPM). CPM is an agile, modern, human centered approach of evaluating and improving employee performance. It fosters a forward looking mindset and has an emphasis on real time, frequent check-ins and documentation. It is an approach that breaks the stereotype of formal later date discussions, rather it lays emphasis on spot feedback. The continuous check-ins help create an environment of trust, strengthen relationships, build communication and provide remedial coaching to the employees thereby assisting them to realize their full potential.

The Succession Planning helps in identifying the Critical Roles and High Potential employees who can take up these roles in the future. The process ensures business continuity, creates a pipeline for future leaders and provides employees with a defined growth path and an opportunity for a structured and focused learning.

Your Company has a robust Career Development framework that gives employees the power to define aspirations and take charge of their career. They can discuss their development needs and aspirations with their managers and carve a development plan for the future. Your Company extends the required assistance to employees and provide them with opportunities that can facilitate employees to grow both personally and professionally. This enables employees to achieve their career goals and in turn creates a set of motivated, valuable and skilled workforce.

Learning & Development:

The Learning & Development function aims to foster a culture of continuous collaboration and learning. The blended approach to Learning helps in development of Technical, Behavioral, Leadership as well as General Management skills.

Mental Wellness:

Mental wellness is a positive state of mental health. It ensures that individuals think, feel and act in ways that will create positive impact on their personal and professional life. Keeping this in mind, your Company launched 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

This program offers professional counseling services to all employees seeking help in managing concerns related to their life. It supports employees who experiences problems that affect their well-being and performance at work. These sessions are conducted privately and ensures complete confidentiality.

For the benefit of all employees, your Company organized the mental wellbeing session facilitated by professional counsellors covering certain real-life issues and topics like managing disagreements, dealing with lockdown situations, parenting, time management, work life balance, stress management and others.

This program has greatly assisted employees during the current unprecedented and challenging times. It has enabled them to manage stress, handle challenges and build stronger relations. This has led to a happier, healthier, focused and more productive workforce.

Health and Safety:

Your Company is always committed to the health and safety of its employees. Your Company provides a clean, hygienic and conducive work environment to all employees. All offices and sites go through regular sanitation, social distancing norms are followed, sanitizers are placed at various locations, visitors entries are minimized, wearing masks is mandatory. Weekly mailers are sent to educate employees regarding safety measures to be practiced during all the times.

Benchmarking:

It is your Company s constant endeavor to improve its processes and policies. Your Company strives to improve its policies and processes on a continuous basis and benchmarking as a tool assists in achieving the same. It helps to identify actionable insights and stay up to date with Human Capital trends.

Fun at work:

The Fun at Work Committee focuses on innovative initiatives to engage the workforce as enjoying work and ensuring camaraderie is a key element of employee happiness. Celebrations around festivals and cultural activities break the monotony at work and help people to have a more positive mind set, higher levels of wellbeing and better mental health.

OUTLOOK:

The Indian economy is projected to grow by more than 6% in FY24 as per various institutional estimates, making it one of the fastest-growing economies. India s growth journey could be the result of a culmination of favorable tailwinds like consistent agricultural performance, flattening of the COVID-19 infection curve, increase in government spending, reforms and an efficient roll-out of the vaccine, among others.

In 2023, we anticipate further downward trends in the global economy. This however, should be an opportunity for the Indian economy to become a world leader. The real estate sector is likely to continue on its journey of long term growth as we see a continuous rise in GDP per capita, larger disposable incomes, growing urbanization and most of all a larger focus of the world on us as the next big economy.

An increase in earning potential, a need for a better standard of living and the growing base of aspirational consumers and their lifestyle changes have led to substantial growth in the sector. With suited economic growth, the premium housing segment will also witness higher demand in the years to come.

Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad and Bangalore are expected to remain on investor s radar in 2023.

Unlike the past year, the real estate sector is now picking up with home buyers willing to make the move. With most workers displaced during the lockdown now back, construction activity has resumed and work is moving at a faster pace to fulfill commitments.

The demand for residential property has in fact also been guided by the concept of work from home as families are now looking out for an upgrade as individual space becomes a crucial factor.

INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THEIR ADEQUACY:

The Company has an adequate internal control system, corresponding with the size and nature of its business. The system of internal control is supported by documented policies, guidelines and procedures to monitor business and operational performance which are aimed at ensuring business integrity and promoting operational efficiency. It ensures timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with applicable accounting standards, safeguarding of assets against unauthorized use or disposition and compliance with all applicable regulatory laws and Company policies.

The Company has an Internal Auditor who oversees the entire internal audit function. Internal Auditors of the Company review the internal financial control systems on a regular basis for its effectiveness and necessary changes and suggestions are duly incorporated into the system. However, given the size of its operations in terms of nature of its business, it also uses services of independent audit firms to conduct periodic internal audits in line with an audit plan that is drawn at the beginning of the year. This audit plan, prepared by the Internal Auditor, is approved by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.

Internal audit reports are placed periodically before the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control systems and suggests improvements for strengthening them.

The Company has also focused on upgrading the IT infrastructure both in terms of hardware and software. In addition to the existing ERP platform, the Company is presently reviewing the process documentation to ensure effectiveness of the controls in all the critical functional areas of the Company.

SEGMENT WISE PERFOMANCE:

The Company is primarily engaged only in the business of sale of Plots under Real Estate Segment in India. As per the Indian Accounting Standard 108 on Segment Reporting, the Board would like to inform that under the real estate segment total Revenue was 2109.53 Lakhs only. The Total Profit Before Tax for the Company was 109.05 Lakhs only & Total Profit After Tax for the Company was 80.50 Lakhs only.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE WITH RESPECT TO OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY:

The Company achieved a turnover of 2109.53 Lakhs only and The Total Profit Before Tax for the Company was 109.05 Lakhs only & Total Profit After Tax for the Company was 80.50 Lakhs only.

Financial performance overview

Analysis of financial statements for FY 2022-23 is provided below:

Key Financial Ratio Analysis:

In accordance with SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure requirements 2018) (Amendment) Regulations 2018, the Company is required to give details of significant changes (Change of 25% or more as compared to the immediately previous financial year) in key sector specific financial ratios.

A comparative table showing synopsis of FY 2022-23 versus FY 2021-22 of Key Financial Ratio is provided below:

Ratios	Numerator	Denominator	Current year	Previous year	Variance (in %)	Explanations / Remarks
Current ratio (in times)	Total current assets	Total current liabilities	3.69	3.34	10.55	Increase in Current Ratio is due to better working capital management
Debt-Equity ratio (in times)	Debt consists of borrowings and lease liabilities*	Total Equity	0.07	0.05	32.54	Cash and Cash equivalents are more than debt.
Debt service coverage ratio (in times)	Earning for Debt Service = Net Profit after taxes + Non-cash operating expenses+ Interest + Other non-cash adjustments	Debt service = Interest and lease payments + Principal repayments*	8.41	5.40	55.57	Debt Service Coverage Ratio increase, the company has good earnings in servicing the Debt on time
Return on equity ratio (in %)	Profit for the year less Preference dividend (if any)	Average total equity	3.91	12.14	-67.78	Return on equity decreased due to decrease in Total Profit
Inventory Turnover Ratio (in times)	Cost of goods sold OR sales	Average Inventory	0.38	0.55	-30.85	Inventory Turnover changes due to decrease of Sales
Trade receivables turnover ratio (in times)	Revenue from operations	Average trade receivables	N.A	N.A	-	(No Trade receivables). As the company Selling its products only after receiving the advance from Customers.
Trade payables turnover ratio (in times)	Purchase of Services and other expenses	Average trade payables	2038.31	943.95	115.93	Increase in ratio indicates the company is paying off its suppliers on time effectively
Net capital turnover ratio (in times)	Revenue from operations	Average working capital (i.e. Total current assets less Total current liabilities)	0.91	1.05	-13.23	Decrease in ratio due to decrease of sales
Net profit ratio (in %)	Profit for the year	Revenue from operations	3.82%	11.53%	-66.90	Net profit ratio decreased due to decrease in Sales, Other Income and difference in tax provisions
Return on capital employed (in %)	Profit before tax and finance costs	Capital employed = Tangible Net worth + Lease liabilities + Deferred tax liabilities	4.58%	13.50%	-66.09	Decrease in ratio due to Decrease of Profit
Return on investment (in %) - Unquoted	Income generated from invested funds	Average invested funds in treasury investments	N.A.	N.A	-	-
Operating Profit ratio	Earnings before Interest, Tax and Amortization	Net Operating Income	0.73	0.54	34.80	Increase in ratio due to Decrease of Operating & Other expenses
Return on Net worth	Net Operating Income	Shareholders equity	2.72	2.83	-3.80	Decrease in ratio due to Decrease of Sales

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

This Management Discussion and Analysis contain forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable security laws and regulations that reflects your Company s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties, regarding fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, competition, economic growth in India, ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost over runs on contracts, government policies and actions with respect to investments, fiscal deficits, regulation etc. In accordance with the Code of Corporate Governance approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, shareholders and readers are cautioned that in the case of data and information external to the Company, no representation is made on its accuracy or comprehensiveness though the same are based on sources thought to be reliable. The Company does not undertake to make any announcement in case any of these forward looking statements become materially incorrect in future or update any forward looking statements made from time to time on behalf of the Company.

	For and on behalf of the Board of Directors of
	COUNTRY CONDO S LIMITED
PLACE: HYDERABAD	Y. VARUN REDDY	D. KRISHNA KUMAR RAJU
DATE : 26-08-2023	VICE-CHAIRMAN & DIRECTOR	VICE-CHAIRMAN & CEO
	DIN: 01905757	DIN: 00115553