Cityscape conference turns up 'Trumps'

The world's largest international property investment and development event, which attracts the most significant investors, lenders, owners and developers as well as acclaimed architects and designers, will take place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre on December 4-6.

During his keynote speech Donald Trump Jr. will convey the complex strategies required to attract high net-worth investors, an issue some analysts predict as crucial to the long-term aspirations of the Middle East property market. Property market growth in most mature markets such as the US, UK and Australasia are now experiencing a cooling down period. In contrast the property markets in the Middle East continue to boom.

However, one of the major challenges facing the regional industry is to ensure that the market continues to meet the expectations of high net-worth global investors. To achieve this, owners and developers must understand the 'mindset' of prospective investors and offer unique and attractive real estate developments, in a secure investment climate.

"Regional developers need to think out of the box and to redefine the boundaries of creativity, architectural design, and structural engineering. In addition, diversifying economies attract a wider client base, thereby eliminating some of the cyclical nature of real estate investment," commented Donald Trump Jr.

Other hot industry topics on the conference agenda include, driving real estate investment, major trends in international real estate markets and a focus on finance and investment. New to this year's conference is a series of industry specific presentations covering residential real estate, retail dimensions, hotels, commercial and office space and the marketing aspects of real estate. Sessions will also focus on China and India and the real estate prospects for two of the fastest growing economies in the world.

A host of regional and international experts have been invited to address these critical industry issues and include amongst others, Mounir D. Haidar, CEO, Sorouh Real Estate; Nicholas Fraser, Executive Director of Development and Planning, Abu Dhabi Investment House; James Wilson, CEO - Hotels & Resorts, Nakheel; Shehab Gargash, Managing Director, Damam Securities, Nidal Abdulmajeed Jamjoom, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar - King Abdullah Economic City, Mohammed Al Tawash, Vice Chairman & President, RealCAPITA; and Maxwell James, Managing Director and Global Sector Head, Real Estate, HSBC Bank.

"The 2006 conference programme will address the current issues and hot topics in international property investment and development. We are proud to have such a distinguished line up of speakers to complement the world's largest property investment and development event. We are confident this will provide great value for visitors and exhibitors alike," commented Shabnam Rawal, Group Conference Director, Cityscape.

Running concurrently with the conference will be the World Architecture Congress, a high profile gathering of international leaders in architecture and design. Launched during last year's event, the highlight of the congress will undoubtedly be the Cityscape Architectural Review Awards. Recognising and promoting excellence throughout the industry, the awards attracted over 300 entries last year and Cityscape expect the 2006 Awards to be keenly contested once again.

To date regional heavyweights Emaar Properties, Nakheel, Tanmiyat Group, Aldar Properties, Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group and Dar Al Arkan have signed up as platinum sponsors. The Commercial Real Estate Co. Tameer and Saraya Holdings have confirmed their gold sponsorship status, with Future Brand and Mawared as silver.