H.H. Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General, Dubai Department of Information, inaugurated today (February 17, 2008), the fourth edition of the International Property Show 2008, the biggest transactional property exhibition in the region, which will run until February 19, 2008 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC). The event, which is expected to attract 27,000 visitors, is hosting participants from over 200 global real estate companies aiming to showcase their high value projects portfolio to global investors. Prompted by the increased participation of local, regional and international exhibitors, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, the event’s organiser, has increased the total exhibition area to 30,000 square metres by acquiring the Zabeel Hall, in addition to Halls 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the DIEC.
Speaking at the opening of the show, H.H. Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, said, “The fact that the regional property sector and the International Property Show have both grown by a massive 50 per cent this year is a clear reflection of the outstanding potential of the regional real estate market. As the event continues to accurately mirror the real landscape of this multi-billion dirham industry, the demand for the show has seen a rapid increase year after year with the growing presence of huge and diversified projects from all over the world.”
The event is set to witness extensive participation from international companies from USA, Argentina, Bahrain, South Africa, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Canada, Singapore Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand and Australia. Real estate firms from Arab nations such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE will also maintain high visibility during the event. The 2008 edition of the show will be the biggest since its inaugural staging in 2005, with participants from emerging real estate destinations such as Russia, Iran, Ireland, Panama and Saudi Arabia marking their participation in the event for the first time.
“Today, global and regional developers meet once again at the region’s definitive event dedicated to the real estate sector,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, Managing Director, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, “We are delighted that the International Property Show has matured not only in terms of exhibitors and total value of showcased properties, but more importantly, we have grown to become a proactive platform that continuously evolves to address the needs of the entire market. On behalf of Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to H.H. Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum for gracing us today with his presence, and to everyone who has supported us through the years.”
Leading real estate companies are also showcasing their UAE-based developments at the show including titanium sponsor Al Qudra Holding, which will highlight its high value developments in its current projects portfolio. Also participating as platinum sponsors are SNASCO underlining its AED 2 billion Sharjah Investment Center (SIC); and Tameer Holding Investments, which is bringing forward its high profile commercial, residential and mixed use developments in Business Bay, including the Silver Tower and Platinum Towers. In addition, Bonyan International Investment Group, a platinum sponsor at the event, is set to highlight its freehold projects including the Dubai Gate 1 and 2 and Sharjah Gate projects.
Elevating the show’s exemplary repute among the leading players in the international real estate community, International Property Show 2008 is also hosting financial and banking institutions within the event venue. Property sales during the event’s three-day run is expected to exceed the records set by previous editions of the show due to the adoption of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency’s (RERA) guidelines, which has resulted in a significant boost in investor confidence. In addition, exhibitors are also set to conduct various seminars, which are being anticipated by investors seeking to acquire recently launched plots in Dubai.
“The success of the International Property Show has been the result of the fruitful collaboration among Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, RERA and the Dubai Land Department, in addition to the strong support of Al Qudra Real Estate as our titanium sponsor and SNASCO, Tameer and Bonyan as our platinum sponsors. As we continue to deliver great advantages to private and government organisations, we are hoping to gain the trust of the leading players in the international real estate market, thereby ensuring the continuous success of the show. We wish all the companies a productive participation this year,” concluded Al Shezawi.
In addition to high impact presentations by participating exhibitors, the organiser will host a Networking Business Breakfast, sponsored by Al Arabiya News Channel, which will gather influential decision makers in the global real estate arena. The Dubai Land Department will also organize high value auctions on the second day of the event, which will provide an opportunity for visitors to acquire new plots in Dubai. In line with significant government legislation aimed at protecting investors, the organizers have dedicated a special pavilion for RERA-registered banks and financial institutions to facilitate multi-billion deals among international and regional companies and individual investors.
About International Property Show 2008
The International Property Show is the region’s comprehensive public and trade exhibition for the international and regional property market. Organized by Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, the exhibition will bring together international and regional exhibitors, property developers, financiers, real estate agents and consultants, designers and others involved in the real estate industry in the UAE and the Middle East and prime real estate markets in the world. Last year’s edition was a huge success with multi billion dirhams worth of deals conducted over the three day run and more than 18,764 visitors from 70 countries, with a majority of 60 per cent from the corporate sector.
