Durrat Al Bahrain exhibits at MIPIM 2008

MIPIM is the world's premier real estate summit and is held annually in Cannes, France, and is being held from 11 March to 14 March this year. Last year, the conference attracted more than 26,000 delegates from around the world. More than 6,700 professional real estate investors attended last year's conference, where more than 2,500 companies exhibited and 83 countries were represented.

This is the second year that the $6bn island based lifestyle development has exhibited at MIPIM, following its inaugural exhibition last year, which attracted a huge amount of investor interest.

Jassim Al Jowder, CEO of Durrat Al Bahrain, said,

'MIPIM is a key marketing opportunity for Durrat Al Bahrain. It is without doubt the pre-eminent real estate summit globally and we are hoping to build upon our success of last year, where we saw significant interest in the project as potential investors recognised our ambition and innovation.'

'This year should be even better, as we expect significant interest from non-GCC investors looking for direct and non-direct exposure to the GCC real estate market. The global shake-out caused by the credit crunch means that non-GCC real estate investors are looking a lot more closely at the growth opportunities offered by the region, and Durrat Al Bahrain offers an attractive investment opportunity to commercial developers and institutional investors. The project offers a broad mix of investment potential across residential and commercial land and property, with different types of potential return, all based on the unique principle of an island-based resort city located in the beautiful waters of southern Bahrain.'

Set in the azure waters of south Bahrain, the 21 km2 development will offer The Islands, designed into two circular rows of six Atolls and five Petals, are 11 islands of 1800 luxury residential villas, gardens and beaches in an enchanting setting offering a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity. The Crescent will be the urban hub of Durrat Al Bahrain, where residents and visitors will be able to lose themselves in a vibrant, cosmopolitan world of sensational dining experiences and exclusive designer shopping, right in the heart of Durrat Al Bahrain.

Residents, businesses and visitors will not only be able to live island lifestyles, but they will also benefit from the Golf Course, an 18 hole golf course designed by Ernie Els, the world-renowned golf champion. The Golf Course will comprise a challenging course, a club house, a driving range, a luxury hotel complex and 1400 stylishly designed luxury residential villas and apartments arranged around landscaped waterways. In partnership with Tameer, Durrat Khaleej Al Bahrain will also offer The Marina, one of the region's leading marinas covering 700,000 m2, offering 400 berths in a stunning location across three islands. Residents and visitors will be able to sail, jetski, cruise on a motor boat or simply soak up the quay-side activity.