Shaikh Maktoum opens mega Property Show

DUBAI — Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday inaugurated the 10th edition of Cityscape Global at the Dubai International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The show, which has lined up most of the leading regional real estate players with their impressive display of existing and upcoming projects, drew hundreds of visitors and real estate professionals from across the region on the opening day. Shaikh Maktoum was accompanied by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chief Executive and Chairman of the Emirates Group, and Chairman of Dubai World and President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

Shaikh Maktoum took a tour of the show, which hosts 150 exhibitors from more than 28 countries.

The opening day also saw the commencement of several conference sessions, including Retail City, Global Real Estate Seminars and the World Architecture Congress, or WAC, with some of the most respected industry experts taking part in discussions and providing insider knowledge across a range of current hot topics.

Engineer Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, gave the opening keynote speech at the Future Cities conference, taking the audience through the vision for Dubai over the upcoming 30 years.

Asil Attar, chief executive of Majid Al Futtaim Fashion, presented the opening session of Retail City, discussing the elevation of retail in the Middle East, with Henning Stuben, partner and director for JDS Architects Copenhagen, kicking off WAC by giving his views on the creation of iconic, yet sustainable, structures.

The first session of the Global Real Estate Seminar saw Dubai Land Department, Dubai Properties Group, Damac and Diamond Developers coming together to discuss the outlook for 2012, predicting trends, sectors for growth and opportunity during the next 12 months.

Rohan Marwaha, managing director of Cityscape, said he hoped this year would provide an ideal platform to address the challenges of the industry.

“International exhibitors represent more than 50 per cent of total participation this year and Dubai has grown to become recognised as one of the leading international cities to do business ideally located as a bridge between emerging and mature markets,” said Marwaha.

Also taking place at Cityscape’s opening day was the presentation of the Retail City Awards and the Cityscape Awards for Architecture in Emerging Markets.

Shaikh Maktoum also visited the stand of Falconcity of Wonders, a landmark development in Dubai.

Alharith bin Salem Al Moosa, deputy chairman, Falconcity of Wonders presented to him an overview for the project.

Occupying more than 41 million square feet of land, Falconcity of Wonders is an integrated mega city shaped to represent the falcon, emblematic of the UAE’s heritage. The project will also feature famous international destinations such as Rome, Venice, Beirut, India, and New York.

The purpose-built community is divided into five phases, which will combine various commercial, residential, educational and leisure amenities with entertainment facilities, and include apartments, villas, schools, mosques, community centers, a shopping mall, hotels, restaurants, health clubs and spas, convenient stores and parks, in addition to a Theme Park.

· issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com

• Business