During the year gone by the Indian economy has shown remarkable
resilience and has responded well to the governments calibrated policy
measures over the previous two years to stimulate growth. However, as
is the case with most emerging economies, the persistent fiscal and
monetary tightening measures to control inflationary pressures have
begun to impact investment and demand in the interest-sensitive
sectors. Towards the latter part of the year, these factors tempered
the economys growth momentum at a time when the global economic
scenario is still to exhibit positive signs of stabilising.
The real estate sector re-emerged from fears of a double dip recession
and saw a well entrenched and broad based recovery across product
segments and micro markets. The residential segment witnessed healthy
volumes and pricing while the momentum in the office leasing market
grew stronger. Towards the end of the year, higher interest rates
resulting from ten successive hikes by the Reserve Bank, sustained
inflation and curtailed liquidity moderated the industry growth,
although end-user demand remained buoyant.
Your Company was adept in foreseeing the oncoming challenges in the
environment and was successfully able to implement a series of
strategic actions to mitigate risks and at the same time ensure the
success of its product launches. Im happy to share with you that your
Company re-entered the plotted development segment in Gurgaon – its
first launch in over a decade and also made its foray in the promising
new suburb of Mullanpur, Greater Chandigarh in North India. We
capitalised well on the office leasing demand, strategically
rationalised our land bank and substantially accomplished our non-core
asset divestment targets. We also remain steadfastly focused on the
need to moderate our debt levels in the medium term.
As a testimony to your Companys unswerving commitment towards customer
service and convenience, your Company initiated the construction of the
Rapid Metro Rail and fast-tracked the Cybercity to Golf Course road
development projects in Gurgaon. The completion of both these key
initiatives will alleviate current infrastructure bottlenecks and
provide better convenience, connectivity and accessibility to your
Companys existing and potential customers in Gurgaon.
I believe that the year ahead will continue to be characterised by a
myriad of challenges ensconced in the Governments intentions to
balance rapid economic growth and inflation concerns. The industry,
needless to say, cannot be completely immune to the repercussions of
such developments.
Your Company is confident of weathering the ongoing challenges
successfully and stands firm in its commitment of ensuring that it
continues to efficiently implement all strategic imperatives and de
rigueur action plans to further strengthen its performance. It will,
simultaneously chart a steady and secure growth trajectory with
judicious prioritisation of resources in order to sustain and enhance
its leadership position in the industry.
We dedicate the year gone by to the memory of the Late Chaudhary
Raghvendra Singh, whose birth centenary was celebrated last year, with
a promise to continue to uphold his high standards of ethics, good
governance and responsibility to society. Our unflinching focus to
Corporate Social Responsibility saw the DLF Foundation initiate two
flagship programmes, DLF Life and Raghvendra Scholars. While the
former is aimed at originating the skill sets of one million people by
opening 250 skill training centres across the country, the latters
objective is to identify and support talented students in their quest
for higher education and appropriately harness their potential.
I re-affirm to you, the core of your Companys philosophy which
continues to remain ingrained in the underlying values of providing
exemplary customer service, enhancing stakeholder value and integrating
business aspirations with societal commitments. These I firmly believe
have been and continue to be the cornerstones that will help formulate
your Companys task-oriented ethos and lead it to become a true role
model for the Indian real estate industry.
Your Company remains steadfast in its resolve to play a small but
pivotal role in becoming a harbinger of growth; in building an India
where development and growth should be inclusive not divisive and where
every Indian has a home to call his own.
I look forward to your continued support in the year ahead and wish you
the very best.
With best wishes, Sincerely,
(Dr. K.P. Singh)
Chairman
June 23, 2011
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