India’s government-owned real estate developer has launched its first project in Dubai, focusing on affordable housing solutions for mid-income buyers, aiming to expand its international footprint and cater to growing demand.
Indian State-Owned Developer Enters Dubai Market Targeting Mid-Income Homebuyers
NBCC (India) Limited, one of India’s leading government-owned enterprises operating under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has made its entry into Dubai’s real estate sector, marking its first international venture as a property developer in the emirate.
The company has taken this step through its wholly owned subsidiary, NBCC Overseas Real Estate LLC, which has secured a strategically located land parcel in Dubai Mainland for Dh15 million. The site will be developed into a mixed-use project, signalling NBCC’s intent to establish a long-term presence in the UAE property market.
According to Pradeep Sharma, Executive Director at NBCC, the proposed development will feature a total gross floor area of 51,718 square feet. The project is planned with a G+2 podium and eight residential floors above. Sharma noted that the development will primarily focus on residential units designed for the mid-income segment. He added that the project is being carefully positioned to meet end-user demand rather than speculative investment, aligning with NBCC’s disciplined development philosophy.
Speaking to Insider18, KP Mahadevaswamy, Chairman and Managing Director of NBCC (India) Limited, described the Dubai project as a landmark moment in the company’s global growth strategy. He said the move reflects NBCC’s ambition to extend its real estate development capabilities beyond India and into key international markets.
“We have taken a significant step in international real estate by launching our overseas development operations in Dubai through NBCC Overseas Real Estate LLC,” Mahadevaswamy said. “This initiative represents a new chapter for NBCC, and we see strong opportunities to deliver quality and affordable housing for the Indian diaspora as well as other residents living in Dubai.”
Mahadevaswamy explained that NBCC’s entry into Dubai’s real estate market was made possible through approvals and backing from the Government of India and MoHUA. This support is part of a broader strategy to encourage Indian public-sector enterprises to explore global opportunities and enhance their international presence. With this move, NBCC becomes the first Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) from India to establish itself as a real estate developer in Dubai.
He further highlighted that NBCC’s management adopted a proactive approach, leveraging the company’s established reputation, strong governance standards, and balanced pricing strategy. “Our brand credibility and structured decision-making process have played a key role in enabling this expansion. This development marks an important milestone in NBCC’s growth journey,” he said.
NBCC brings to Dubai decades of experience in executing large-scale and high-profile projects across India and abroad. Mahadevaswamy pointed to several recently completed landmark developments, including the World Trade Centre in New Delhi, a project valued at approximately Dh1 billion, and Bharat Mandapam, a major convention and exhibition complex in the Indian capital worth around Dh1.2 billion. These projects underscore NBCC’s capability to deliver complex infrastructure and real estate developments on time and at scale.
The company also gained significant recognition in India’s residential real estate sector after being entrusted by the Supreme Court of India to take over and complete stalled housing projects of the Amrapali Group in Noida. This intervention helped thousands of affected homebuyers finally receive their homes and reinforced NBCC’s reputation as a reliable and accountable developer.
In the UAE, NBCC is already a familiar name due to its execution of the India Pavilion at Dubai South for Expo 2020. The pavilion, valued at roughly Dh172 million, showcased Indian architectural design, construction quality, and project management expertise on a global stage.
NBCC stated that the acquisition of land in Dubai followed a transparent and methodical process, consistent with public-sector governance norms. The procedure included public invitations, internal assessments, independent feasibility analyses, and multiple levels of senior management review to ensure financial prudence and long-term viability.
Real estate industry observers believe NBCC’s arrival will add a distinctive dimension to Dubai’s property market, particularly within the mid-income residential category. They note that a government-backed developer with a track record of disciplined execution could bring greater confidence among end-users seeking affordable yet high-quality housing options.
At the same time, the Dubai project is expected to strengthen NBCC’s global footprint and open up new avenues for growth beyond India. As the company takes its first steps into overseas real estate development, industry analysts see this venture as a potential foundation for further international expansion in the years ahead.
