Brokerage Firm Targets Emerging Markets

WEST PALM BEACH, FL-Seeking to capitalize on customers’ interest in emerging markets, locally based brokerage firm NAI/Merin Hunter Codman is expanding its presence in India and China.

Among areas of focus for NAI/Merin in these areas are counseling on investments and valuation, corporate services, leasing, property management and tenant representation. NAI/Merin head of corporate services and principal Bob Schneiderman tells GlobeSt.com that the impetus for the expanded presence is driven by customers’ needs to reduce costs. Because labor and other costs are lower in China or India, many US companies are outsourcing operations to these locations, which drives commercial real estate demand.

“Many Florida firms are looking to China, India and other foreign locales for business opportunities, but unless you have the right local partners, the obstacles can be overwhelming,” Schneiderman says.

NAI/Merin conducts business through NAI Global, a network of commercial real estate brokerage firms. There are eight NAI Global offices in India and seven in China. Among affiliates firms are NAI Yuxing in Zhejiang, China and NAI Collaborators India in New Delhi. With both countries experiencing strong commercial real estate activity, there are also new NAI Global offices in the Bahamas and Costa Rica.

“We’re also doing a lot of business in Latin America,” Schneiderman adds. “There are a lot of US companies that want a headquarters there or want to do business there.”