India Private Equity Conference 2011

February 23 - 24, 2011 - Novotel Hotel, Juhu Beach, Mumbai


The conference event for the India private equity market providing the most up-to-date information and content and the opportunity to meet a VIP list of business contacts and the most influential leaders from various sectors in industry and government.

Get the insights and knowledge as well as the connections you need to overcome the challenges of today's global markets.

The IBF Media India Private Equity Conference is the largest private equity conference in India, delivering unrivaled insight and analysis about the most-timely issues affecting the industry. The 2011 conference will address the changes to the private equity landscape in India, how the new government's policy is shaping opportunities and how the recovery is reinforcing those opportunities.



Agenda Highlights: General Sessions
 

• Keynote: The Indian Consumer and the Retail Model
  
  The global recession in the last two years has led to a major pull back by consumers and the Indian consumer was not immune to the fallout. The retail funk was fueled by economic uncertainty contributed to by rising unemployment and a general lack of confidence in any significant recovery in the foreseeable future. India has the youngest population profile among countries with the largest consumer markets. More than half the population of the country is under the age of 40. The youth of India will drive tomorrow's retail industry by making their own purchasing decisions as well as influencing their parent's spending as well. For the last few years India's consumer's were adopting western spending habits, especially among the youth and those working in the IT sector and call centers. The question for business leaders, institutional investors and retail executives is will the global recession impact the future growth of the Indian retail consumer and if so how will these changes impact the companies that cater to this market and investors that have will invest into these businesses.
  
  
   
• Keynote: Does the Recovery in the Indian Stock Market Point to Successful Exits in the Near Future for Private Equity Funds
  
  Over the last few years institutional investors were able to achieve healthy exits from portfolio investments as a result of a result of the Indian stock markets, which were setting new highs on a monthly basis. During the peak the BSE SENSEX hit a record level above 20,000 in the beginning of 2008. During the global recession the index fell over 50% in a matter of months. Since the general elections of May 2009 the index has recouped part of its losses. The question for most institutional investors is can they once again achieve portfolio exits with healthy multiples in the current environment or do they need to wait longer when the index once again reaches stratospheric highs to have strong exits.
  
  
   
• Panel Discussion: Real Estate: Is there a Silver Lining
  
  Around 12 months back, the real estate market was driven by supply. The scenario has changed now. Demand, especially in the commercial property space, has dipped. Developers have had to reshape their strategies. Some developers have already shelved their future projects or surrendered plots auctioned earlier. RBI's recent move to allow real estate companies to restructure their outstanding debt may be the last saving grace for these developers. The domestic real estate market has already seen private equity firms buying strategic stakes in holding companies, sale of land banks and non-core businesses, pledging of promoters' equity for long-term debt and securitising of future receivables for their working capital requirements. Presently facing a negative trend, the Indian real estate market is expected to recover sometime in 2010 when there is an increase in demand for residential properties driven by improving affordability, steady economic growth and greater liquidity. Analysts further note that a meaningful recovery in the residential, commercial, and retail segments in at least a couple of years out. In the near term are there opportunities for real estate investors in the current environment? When the recovery does take shape which segments will be leading the charge?
  
  
   
• Panel Discussion: Working with Family Boards - Demonstrating the Value of Private Equity
  
  The emergence of the private equity industry has been a recent development in India. Family run companies were reluctant to partner with institutional investors from the outside to help introduce capital and western management practices. In today's emerging markets, value maximization is one of the key challenges on the path to growth for local family businesses. In most emerging countries, like India, a significant component of GDP is generated by family-run companies. It is therefore vital to ensure that these organizations are adequately resourced both financially and with human capital. Attracting, motivating and retaining leadership talent in such firms is consequently a top priority. The challenge for institutional investors has been to change a mindset that has held steady for decades. The last ten years and especially after economic reforms were introduced by the government there has been a gradual change in traditional management thinking. In a recent roundtable discussion, a well-known expert in value creation for family firms and director on a number of family boards made it clear that, to be successful, family businesses need independent, adopt western management practices, and attract growth capital to compete locally as well as in the international marketplace. The challenge for institutional investors has been to partner with family boards, inject financial resources and management expertise in order to make for a successful enterprise in the Indian market. Recent lapses in corporate governance sometimes exemplify how closely held by families some Indian companies are, both public and private.

Agenda-at-a-Glance