1) MNCs buying office space in India instead of leasing

Ref: http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php/sid/225542697
Key Points:
MNCs in India are now opting for buying office space instead of leasing. They have bought
properties worth Rs 2470 Cr in the last 2 years and major contributions came from BFSI, IT,
FMCG, and Pharmaceutical sectors. Rents in the last 3 years have gone up pushing up leasing
costs and at the same time, the capital values have increased only moderately, in comparison,
making purchase attractive. US-based MNCs have also the advantage of lower tax base as the
profits are deployed in purchase of office space instead of taking it back to US which are then
subject to Federal taxes.

2) RJIL signs deal to lease 4000 mobile towers from BSNL
Ref: http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/telecommunications/20140828331320.htm
Key Points:
Reliance Jio Infocomm signed a deal to lease 4000 mobile towers of BSNL. The lease rental for
the same is fixed at Rs 38000 for ground-based towers (GBT) and Rs 24900 for rooftop-based
towers (RBT). According to the terms of the agreement, RJIL is also to lease a minimum of 1500
towers in the first year at Rs 35000 for GBTs and Rs 21000 for RBTs. A discount of 5% is
applicable if a minimum of 1000 towers are leased within 3 months.

3) E-commerce firms accounted for over a quarter of warehousing leases in India during H1
Ref: http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2014/09/25/e-com-firms-accounted-for-over-a-quarter-of-
warehousing-leases-in-india-during-h1/
Key Points:
Online retailers have leased about 6 lakh square feet space in H1 of 2014. Leasing activities in
the logistics and warehousing market have remained steady with large-sized transactions at
12.5 lakh square feet. NCR, Chennai, and Mumbai accounted for the bulk of leasing activity in
H1. The automotive, FMCG, commerce and third party logistics sectors were the principle
drivers of demand for warehousing space.

4) Demand for car leasing market robust at 15-20%
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-23/news/43326413_1_corporate-leasing-
operating-lease-carzonrent
Key Points:
Slowdown in the passenger car market has fuelled demand for car leasing, especially in the
corporate sector. The car leasing market is set to grow by over 50% by the end of the decade.
Almost 12% of new cars are expected to be managed under operating lease. The car leasing
market is also expected to increase to over 100,000 cars by 2015.
5) Leasing companies cautious towards Indian aircraft carriers: Report
Ref: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/leasing-companies-cautious-towards-indian-aircraft-carriers-
report/382183-7.html
Key Points:
Leasing companies are becoming cautious towards Indian airlines increasing the leasing costs.
Reasons for this are court battles involving airport operators, tax authorities, and Kingfisher
Airlines lessors over repossession of its planes. The current dispute between lessors and the
government could lead to increased leasing costs and impact the airlines bottomline which is
already under stress.

6) Japanese giant Sumitomo buys car lease division of Carzonrent India
Ref: http://www.techinasia.com/japanese-giant-sumitomo-buys-car-lease-division-carzonrent-india/
Key Points:
Japanese company Sumitomo acquired the car leasing business of Carzonrent India in a deal
worth Rs 200 Cr. Carzonrent currently has a fleet of about 6500 cars across India and offers
chauffeur-driven cabs under the Easy Cabs brand and self-drive rentals under MYLES brand.
The investment from Sumitomo will be used for increasing the fleet size of Carzonrent to 30000
cars, including premium and luxury vehicles. Sumitomo is also looking at other emerging markets
to expand its overseas operations and auto leasing business.

13) Rajasthan govt plans to lease out 35 forts to private players (Sep 15, 2014)
Key points:
Rajasthan government is working on a plan to lease out forts to add fillip to the tourism
sector. The state is also looking at multiple ways to rope in private players for running some
properties that are currently under the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC)
and other state agencies. The state doesn't have enough financial resources to build the
required infrastructure on its own. The Government has identified 35 forts in the state for
leasing out to private players for converting them into hotels or any other tourism product.

REF: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rajasthan-govt-plans-to-lease-out-35-forts-to-
private-players/articleshow/42490813.cms

14) AirAsia Berhad leases A320-200 to AirAsia India, to pay USD45m in lease payments over
144 months (8
th
September)
Key points:
AirAsia India will pay a total consideration of USD45 million for the term of the Agreement.
The consideration is in the form of monthly lease payments payable in advance by AirAsia
India. The term of the agreement shall be for 144 months and AirAsia India shall pay a
security deposit in the form of cash or a letter of credit.

REF: http://centreforaviation.com/news/airasia-berhad-leases-a320-200-to-airasia-india-to-pay-
usd45m-in-lease-payments-over-144-months-371524

15) MIDC asked to pay tax for leasing land ( 4
th
October 2014)

Key points:
MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) was formed to make a special
provision for securing the orderly establishment of industrial areas. MIDC leases the land for
construction of buildings on payment of premium. Once the construction is over, MIDC executes
a lease agreement for 95 years for a rent of Re 1 per annum. From the MIDC Act, it was clear
that the corporation operates independently. The receipts of the corporation are credited to its
own fund and do not go to the consolidated fund of the state. So, the activities undertaken by it
cannot be construed as functions of the state. Leasing of land by the MIDC to private parties for
commercial consideration is not a sovereign activity and liable for service tax, a tribunal has said.
The Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal has asked MIDC to deposit Rs 185 crore
before deciding on its appeal against a service tax department order. The department had asked
MIDC to pay Rs 536 crore as service tax from June 1, 2007, for its commercial transactions
renting out immovable properties.
Ref: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/MIDC-asked-to-pay-tax-for-leasing-
land/articleshow/44265797.cms