PropertyLink 2008 Real Estate Investments Conference & Exhibition kicks off

Deputizing for His Excellency Prime Minister Nader Al Dahabi, Minister of Public Works and Housing H.E. Eng.

Sahel Al-Majali opened the activities of the Real Estate Investments Conference PropertyLink 2008, held for the third consecutive year after the great success achieved by the Conference during the past two years to familiarize consumers and other parties of potential investors and real estate agents with the reality of real estate development, now witnessing an unprecedented boom.

Participating in this economic real estate event, the biggest in the kingdom to be held between May 12-15, is dozens of senior corporate real estate developers and experts in this vital sector through seminars and discussions to explore the realities of the real estate investment opportunities and future challenges facing it, in addition to giving companies the opportunity to display their real estate and housing products in light of tough competition witnessed by the real estate arena.

In the Prime Minister's speech, delivered on his behalf by H.E. Minister Majali, Dahabi stressed that Jordan has succeeded in imposing its name on the map of the property, as a result of the political ,security and legislative stability that managed to attract billions in investment in Amman, Aqaba , the Dead Sea and elsewhere, and encouraged many in Real estate projects owners to invest in the Kingdom.

He added that the government will continue in drafting laws and legislation for attracting investment that are in line with the reality of the scene of the real estate sector after this huge influx of big investments and the spread of housing projects that have strikingly attracted regional attention to Jordan.

The Prime Minister attributed this high record on investment into Jordan to the political stability and the legislative maturity as well as the clear vision of His Majesty the King's leadership and its role in promoting trust in the national economy and in attracting investments and stimulating growth in this area.

HE Eng. Omar Maani, Amman Mayor, reviewed the most vital real estate projects being implemented by the Amman Municipality in collaboration with leading real estate developers in the Kingdom and the world.

He added, that the approach taken by the Municipality and catering for new concepts of construction such as building towers after the announcement of the Amman Municipality of the capital's comprehensiveness plan had pushed the sector to continue to grow.

Maani said that the Amman Municipality and concerned institutions had sought in the light of this reality to develop a picture of this prosperous and growing sector in which things become clear in front of consumers and investors and any other interested party through a single window that allows direct interaction between the consumer and developer in one hand, and between the developers and their potential partners on the other.

Regarding the laws on attracting investment and the legislation that has been accomplished and that contributed to attract large numbers of the major real estate Arab and International companies, H.E. Dr. Maen Nsour, Jordan Investment Board CEO detailed some of the most important legislative accomplishments and regulations, particularly with regard to the investment map of Jordan

H.E. Nsour pointed out that this investment map will support the Board's efforts to attract foreign investment through identifying potential sectors and projects with Strategic economic feasibility and value-added in Jordan to serve as a guide for investors wishing to invest in the country in order to achieve economic development.

During the opening ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Saeed Ahmed Saeed Chief Executive Officer of Limitless ,Diamond sponsor of the Conference, highlighted the importance of this conference to present the reality of the real estate sector and investment opportunities available along with the challenges the sector is now facing.

For his part, Engineer Sahl Dudin , Ayla' CEO, main sponsor of the conference, said that his company recognizes the importance of organizing such a specialized economic event, in light of the huge growth in the real estate scene and the accelerating pace of growth as a result of the encouragement given to this sector by all concerned parties, as well as the benefits available to investors in the area of development.

The two-day Conference will discuss several major themes related to the real estate sector in Jordan and the region.

The first day includes three, working sessions: Success in Jordan: an exploratory view, where participants will address issues such as 'the Jordanian market, is it still relying on speculations or the Kingdom had really achieved its objectives?' And 'What is the best plan of action for the establishment of investments in Jordan?

Participants will also discuss issues such as 'significant trends in the real estate market - what was important and what not?' And 'risk management in the real estate development' and 'What are the new concepts that have a positive impact on the real estate market?'

With the success of the exhibition accompanying the conference in its past two years by placing itself and winning a good reputation as a forum for senior real estate developers and real estate supporting sectors to display their products and meet face to face with clients and potential investors and networking with local and regional counterparts , the third PropertyLink 2008 exhibition was opened today by Minister of Industry and Trade Amer Hadidi .

Major companies operating in the property development sector in Jordan and the Arab world are participating in the expo, most of which are carrying out several investment and real estate projects in the kingdom, especially as the real estate development sector continues to maintain the momentum, with a growth in the surplus as a result of the rise of financial abundance resulting from the increase in oil prices in the Gulf region specifically.

The exhibition aims to give a clear picture to investors interested in identifying projects under construction and others to be held in Jordan in the next few years. It also provides participants, visitors and representatives of various sectors and all concerned parties the opportunity to exchange information and hold direct negotiations in order to serve their interests and the interests of real estate sector which has become one of the most prominent driving engines of the economy wheel in Jordan.

Both the exhibition and the conference have received support and sponsorship from the public and private sectors, including the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and Jordan Investment Board.

Several key developers have sponsored PropertyLink 08. Limitless, the Dubai-based international real estate developer, is the diamond sponsor.

Platinum sponsorship goes to Taameer Jordan , Tala Bay and Tamleek, while Ayla is the main sponsor of the conference. GAM and Emaar will be the conference co-sponsors.

The Golden sponsors list includes Asteco Property Management Arab East for Investment and Tuscanny Builders.

The Dubai-based VERTEX Tower and Residences, King Hussein bin Talal Development Area , Essam Al Kahtib company, LG and Century 21 , Izzat Marji Company and Sama Jordan pose as Silver sponsors.

Meanwhile, Amlak is the official newspaper and Mazaj FM the official radio station, whereas the Gulf-based Property World magazine, Aqariya News TV , Al-Aqaria TV, MA have joined as media partners.