SINGAPORE, March 17 – On Monday, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced its interest in the potential introduction of real estate investment trusts (REITs). However, these plans will be implemented after the completion of other financial market liberalization initiatives. "We have received feedback from market participants. I would estimate that this will be scheduled after the stock lending scheme and the currency futures are ready," noted SEBI Chairman C. B. Bhave during his teleconference presentation at an investment conference held in Singapore. In December, SEBI unveiled draft guidelines pertaining to the establishment of REITs in India, signaling a step towards increased participation by retail investors in the country’s rapidly expanding real estate sector. Furthermore, regulators are considering the launch of currency futures to assist investors in hedging foreign exchange risks, along with developing a new framework for the borrowing and lending of securities.