Sheikh Mohammed inaugurates Cityscape 2005

The exhibition, which takes place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre until September 19th, has attracted a record 300 exhibitors from 51 cities around the world. First day visitors included political delegations, business leaders and VIP guests from North America, Europe and the Far East, confirming Cityscape's emergence as a major international event for industry professionals.

Former US Presidential candidate and President and CEO of Forbes Inc, Steve Forbes, was a VIP guest of Saudi Arabia's Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company at Cityscape 2005.

"Dubai has now joined the ranks of Hong Kong, Shanghai and other rapidly growing areas. It is demonstrating enormous growth. The changes take one's breath away," said Forbes.

"This is my third visit here and I always come away very impressed. Dubai is also the centre of our Forbes Arabia edition. Dubai's growth prospects seem truly unlimited. The architecture is dazzling. The innovation seems constant. It makes the imagination soar."

Cityscape 2005 presented a timely opportunity for Sheikh Mohammed to be updated on the progress of key developments in Dubai, including those of platinum sponsors Nakheel and Emaar.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Nakheel, used the Cityscape platform to update Sheikh Mohammed on Nakheel's projects during his visit to its stand. Commenting on the increase in the event's size, Bin Sulayem said: "It's bigger and better."

Emaar Senior Sales Manager Hussain A. Belshalat briefed Sheikh Mohammed on the progress of construction at the Burj Dubai Development. "He was keen to know about The Old Town Island, when that will be complete," said Belshalat. "I was able to tell him the design is done and we will start selling in one or two months."

Sheikh Mohammed also saw the scale of regional and international participation in Cityscape 2005. Franck Dailles, Project Director, Cityscape 2005, accompanied Sheikh Mohammed through the four exhibition halls. "He was pleased to see projects from Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and, of course, Saudi Arabia. He was also interested to see we had participants from Canada, Australia and Malaysia," said Dailles. "Cityscape is now the one place in the Middle East where in three days you can see the world. It's the umbrella for projects across the region, Asia and Europe."
Notes to editors

The Middle East's premier international property investment and development event, Cityscape 2005 takes place from September 17-19 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

Emaar Properties, Dar Al Arkan, Nakheel, Rikaz, Galadari Investment Office and Dubai Properties are platinum sponsors for Cityscape 2005, which is organised by IIR Middle East.

Gold sponsors include The Commercial Real Estate Company, Saraya Jordan and Al Hanoo Holding Company.

The three-day exhibition and conference attracts industry professionals such as investors, property developers, architects and designers. A series of industry conferences will be held throughout, and the winners of the increasingly coveted Cityscape Architectural Review Awards will be announced at an exclusive gala dinner event.

Cityscape this year is expected to attract approximately 15,000 participants from 81 countries.