Realty firm Embassy group plans to launch its real estate investment trust (REIT) this year to raise about USD 1 billion as part of its strategy to monetise rent-yielding commercial assets, sources said. Global investment firm Blackstone-backed Embassy Office Parks is likely to file the draft prospectus with market regulator Sebi by next month to launch the country's first REIT, they added. Its REIT is already registered with Sebi. The Bengaluru-based Embassy group has over 30 million sq ft of leased office space and has a pipeline of about 22 million sq ft across major cities.