ITC Ltd, which recently unveiled plans to demerge its hotels business, has committed an equity investment of approximately INR 3,000 crore in Welcomhotels Lanka Pvt Ltd, with the most recent investment totaling $20 million.
According to official data from the Reserve Bank of India, ITC injected $20 million into the equity of Welcomhotels Lanka Pvt Ltd in July. As per Welcomhotels’ annual report for FY23, the parent company, ITC Ltd, holds a total of INR 2,775 crore in equity and preference capital.
The Sri Lankan property spans 5.86 acres of premium oceanfront land in Colombo, featuring a luxurious hotel and an ultra-premium residential apartment complex known as ‘Sapphire Residences.’ The property encompasses 352 rooms, suites, and serviced apartments, along with 12 dining establishments. As per information available on the ITC Hotels’ website, the hotel is scheduled for completion in 2023.
According to the annual report, “The project construction activities, which had ramped up post the pandemic, were also impacted during the year on account of the challenging operating conditions prevalent in the country. Despite these challenges, the company took all steps to expedite project work; significant progress was made during the year in the façade, finishes, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing works.”
However, it also mentioned that the muted business environment and macro-economic challenges faced by the country have impacted sales of ‘The Sapphire Residences’ luxury apartments. “Given its unique positioning in the market and superior value proposition, it is anticipated that apartment sales would gain traction as the project nears completion and the situation in the country normalises,” the company added.
“Project construction activity was running on schedule till Q3 of FY2018-19,” it said, adding that conditions were adversely impacted due to disruptions in the aftermath of the terror incidents in 2019, recurrent waves of Covid and the challenging socio-economic and operating conditions prevailing in the country over the last 18 months.
The situation in the nation is gradually moving towards stability. The Sri Lankan government has implemented a series of measures to strengthen the economy. These measures involve obtaining financial support from international organizations and foreign nations, raising interest rates to control inflation, limiting non-essential imports to preserve foreign currency reserves, and introducing taxation to augment government revenue, among others.
ITC was not available for comment.
As per DGCA data, there is an increasing trend in travel between India and Sri Lanka. During the April to June quarter, more than two lakh passengers traveled from Sri Lanka to India, while a similar number of Indian passengers visited Sri Lanka.
