Global City Expansion Congress to address investment strategies

Today's large cities are continuing to grow rapidly throughout the world. The United Nations estimates that over 500 urban areas will have a population of more than a million people by 2015, compared with 314 such cities in 2005. Large cities need significant development in their urban infrastructure and services to meet the demands generated by the rapid growth and rising expectations of residents. The sheer scale of these new infrastructure requirements creates imposing challenges to planning, financing, and development.

Global City Expansion Congress is giving construction companies, property developers, architects, consultancies, investors and governments a chance to meet those imposing challenges thanks to a tailored format consisting of one-to-one business meetings, interactive case studies and networking functions.

Working in strategic partnership with Airport Cities, AlBabWorld, Architekten24, Facilities Management Magazine, Gulf Business, Property World and Saudi Business Focus, the congress addresses strategies for attracting investment, with an emphasis on the use of public-private partnerships to attract foreign direct investment, and explores the best practices and trends of sustainable urban and commercial development.

The conference agenda features the following industry-renowned speakers:

Mustafa Al Saleh, Vice Chairman, Managing Director and CEO, ADEEM Investment Company

Eng. Rashad Bukhash, Director of General Projects Dept., Dubai Municipality
Managing with quality

Andrew Killander, General Manager, International, Aconex
Controlling Risk on Large Projects

Imad Benharouga, Head, Corporate Strategy, Limitless LLC (A Dubai Holding Company)
Diversifying and Globalizing Portfolios & Businesses: The Importance of Identifying & Creating Opportunities in Foreign Markets

Peter Riddoch, CEO, DAMAC Properties
Contract & Dispute Management: Upholding Customer Satisfaction and Confidence

Gurjit Singh, Executive Director, Property Development, Sorouh
Sustainable Development Policies: Place Making and Place Management in Creating New Development Destinations in the Region

Blair Hagkull, Managing Director - Middle East and North Africa, Jones Lang Lasalle

Khaled Esbaitah, CEO & Managing Director, Al Mazaya Holding Group
New Vehicles of the Real Estate Investment Sector in the GCC Region: REITs, Portfolio Management and more

Richard Foulds, Director, Abu Dhabi, CB Richard Ellis
Inbound Investment in Real Estate Sectors in Abu Dhabi

Penelope Fischer, Marketing Director, F1 Theme Park International
Creating a Unique Brand for Your Real Estate Project: Identifying the Right Opportunities & Forming Strategic Alliances

Dr. Sadek Owainati, Chairman, Emirates Green Buildings Council
The Drive for Green Buildings in the UAE & the LEED Rating System

Throughout the two days, the participants have the opportunity to attend one-to-one business meetings led by leading solution providers such as Adeem Investment Company, Mubarak Al-Guthmi Contracting, Aconex, Cisco Systems, Capitaland and Jerde. Those meetings enhance deal making opportunities and give a chance to delegates to find customized solutions for their companies.

"Global City Expansion has a unique format designed to assure excellent business-making opportunities for the construction and property industries. Capitalization on the market's growth through good risk management strategies, identifying the best opportunities as they arise, forming strategic partnerships in the business, and addressing and creating standout projects are on the top of our agenda. We understand that all our participants must have a return on their investment. The investors, developers, the government and other buyers will have the opportunity to learn about an array of solutions catering to their requirements at the congress," explained Teena Tolani, the event producer.