Seven in ten visitors to Omniyat stand at Cityscape mentioned Expo 2020

Seven in ten visitors to Omniyat stand at Cityscape mentioned Expo 2020

Mahdi Amjad: “Investors looking at Expo as a catalyst to boosting Dubai’s image as global real estate hub”

Dubai, UAE, 13 October 2013: Omniyat, a leading developer in the Middle East, has said that 7 out of 10 visitors to its stand at Cityscape Global 2013, mentioned in one way or another Expo 2020.

According to Mahdi Amjad, Omniyat's Executive Chairman and CEO, this indicates the extent of influence the Expo 2020 has on investors and how the likelihood of Dubai winning the bid is acting as a catalyst to boosting Dubai’s position as a global real estate hub.”

Amjad said that there was a positive link between winning the bid and the graph of Dubai’s real-estate in the global market, and added that Dubai had already earned an international image that will surely be further boosted by winning the bid.

He said he is extremely optimistic about Dubai’s bid and added that he was impressed by the collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to attain this goal.

Amjad added that the new creative inputs into the global real-estate sector made by Dubai makes the Emirate an ideal location to host the Expo, backed by the huge investments exerted by Dubai government in infrastructure.

Speaking at the conclusion of Cityscape Global 2013, Amjad said: “At Cityscape, we highlighted ‘The Opus’ that will be an outstanding icon on the skyline of Dubai. We also showcased The Pad, which brings a slice of Miami to Burj Khalifa District through an artistic edifice tilted at 6.5 degrees.”

Dubai enters the final draw of Expo 2020 with competing cities of Izmir in Turkey, Yekaterinburg in Russia and Sao Paulo in Brazil. Experts at Cityscape pointed out that the Dubai had the highest chances of winning the bid and host the show for 6 months.

Amjad added: “Dubai is very well-equipped to host Expo 2020 as it has battled its way to the top.”

If Dubai wins the bid, the emirate will attract millions of visitors who will explore diverse pavilions, exhibitions and cultural events staged by hundreds of participants,including nations, international organisations and businesses in Dubai.

The Shanghai 2010 World Expo brought attention of 73 million people, while the next World Expo takes place in Milan, Italy, in 2015. And Dubai is almost on the way to be a successful host of Expo 2020.

Cityscape Global is now a true reflection of the event and its future direction says organiser

Cityscape Dubai now ‘Global’

Cityscape Global is now a true reflection of the event and its future direction says organiser

Cityscape management announced today (Monday 8 February 2010) that Cityscape Dubai has been renamed as Cityscape Global, acknowledging how the event has already evolved into a significant international platform for the real estate industry.

“Cityscape Dubai has not only grown significantly over the last eight years, it has evolved into the most significant real estate platform in the world,” said Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director Cityscape. “Cityscape Global is based on more than eight years of building business, trusted partnerships with global associations, bodies and real estate partners. Our global portfolio of products and services that make up the Cityscape brand all stem from the original Cityscape event held in Dubai.”

It is interesting to note that out of the entire portfolio of Cityscape events, Cityscape Dubai has a substantially larger proportion of international participants than any other Cityscape event.

“In 2009 over 25% of registered participants came from outside of the UAE, which translates into almost 10,000 participants flying in from 115 different countries. We hope to reach a 50-50 distribution over the next 2 years (50% from the GCC and 50% international),” said Marwaha.

The announcement was timed to coincide with the first green shoots of global economic recovery, with the real estate industry having survived the most drastic economic upheaval the world has ever seen.

“It is only natural that Dubai continues to host Cityscape Global, it is a world renowned business destination, with the infrastructure, accessibility, hotels, transport, and facilities. Equally important, is the fact that Dubai is a gateway to more than one third of the world’s population, and an access point to many of the fastest growing real estate markets in the world,” said Marwaha.

Europe and the US have their own major real estate industry events that predominantly attract professionals from those markets. Over the last 5 years no event other than Cityscape Dubai has provided access to the Asia Pacific and MENA markets to such a significant degree and scale. Cityscape Global is simply an acknowledgement of this fact. It is a platform which showcases real estate opportunities and provides access to investors from all over the world” said Marwaha.

One only need look back to previous exhibitors at Cityscape Dubai to recognise the importance of changing our name. City development authorities, government agencies and inward investment bodies from all over the world continue to be part of the event – Urban Redevelopment Authority (Singapore), Iskander Region (Malaysia), Krasnodar Krai (Russia), City of Hamburg, La Defense (Paris), Region Lazio, City of Rome, Government of Ontario, are just a few names to consider.

2010 will be the ninth year that a Cityscape event will have been held in Dubai and Cityscape Global, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 4-7 October

“It is worth remembering that quite apart from Cityscape Global we have grown the Cityscape brand from Sao Paulo and New York to Singapore and China. In addition we managed to successfully launch Cityscape Saudi Arabia last year,” added Marwaha.

The run-up to Cityscape Global will also get a facelift, with the newly introduced business initiatives, such as Cityscape Connect, CEO Breakfasts and City Leaders Forum (CLF) (an invitation-only event, bringing together industry leaders from around the world to discuss issues ranging from policy and planning, to sustainability and urban development), outlining the new direction that Cityscape Global will take.

“During Cityscape Global, six conferences will run simultaneously, where delegates will be able to access any sessions across any of the conferences for a single price,” said Marwaha.

For more information about Cityscape Global, log on to www.cityscape.ae

Photo-caption: From left to right: Chris Speller, Group Director, Cityscape and Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director Cityscape

About Cityscape

Cityscape, is the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development brand in the world, encompassing a series of major exhibitions and conferences that take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Asia; Saudi Arabia; USA; Latin America; India and Russia.

Cityscape Dubai 2009 opens tomorrow

Cityscape Dubai 2009 opens tomorrow

Most talked about real estate show a platform for industry challenges – comprehensive study of Dubai market to be published

Cityscape Dubai 2009 – the most talked about exhibition dedicated to the real estate industry, now in its eighth year, opens its doors tomorrow (Monday 5 October 2009.

“Now, perhaps more than ever, the eyes of the world are on Dubai and Cityscape with the event generating acres of media comment in advance of opening,” said Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director of Cityscape. “We now look forward to a continuing role in providing a transparent platform to encourage the adoption of measures to tackle the challenges facing the industry,” he added.

“As part of this process, we shall be publishing the Cityscape Intelligence ‘Focus on Dubai’ – the most comprehensive report of its type on the current state of the market which is being made available free of charge to visitors to Cityscape Dubai 2009.”

“With inputs from the Financial Times; project research company Proleads; real estate consultancy DTZ; the ratings agency Moody’s Middle East; and advocates Al Tamimi and Company, the report provides a unique resource upon which to advance debate on the challenges.”

The subjects covered in depth in the “Focus on Dubai” report include:

 An assessment of the state of the foreign direct investment market in the United Arab Emirates.

 An investigation into the nearly 2000 active real estate projects in the UAE, including a detailed market analysis.

 An analysis of the UAE banking system and the future growth potential of the property market.

 A review of recent legal and regulatory changes in property law and what can be done to make Dubai a more robust market.

“As part of the real estate story of the year, 2009 has seen Cityscape’s first decline in growth as the world adjusts to new economic conditions,” Marwaha added. “However, the high quality of Cityscape Dubai as the industry’s main networking event is well maintained. The major institutional investors, master developers, high net worth individuals and senior real estate professionals, which are the backbone of Cityscape, will be in attendance.

“Cityscape Dubai is still a very large show, by any standard.”

Cityscape Dubai consists of a four day exhibition featuring the most significant real estate investors, developers and service-led firms. Entry is free for professionals. In a reflection of the changed market conditions, this year the organisers say exhibition space is down about 30% on previous record years with total participant numbers forecast to be about 20% lower.

The Cityscape Dubai conference runs alongside the exhibition and focuses on global real estate investment and development issues with a panel of international speakers. In addition, the Cityscape Dubai Facilities and Asset Management Conference has attracted delegates in the design, build and post-occupancy of buildings.

The World Architecture Congress (5-7 October 2009), also part of Cityscape Dubai, has been put together in association with Continental Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and UK chapters and the International Committee of the American Institute of Architects.

There will also be a Cityscape Dubai Green Day on 7 October which will include green communities, construction methods, energy saving issues, financing green buildings, regulations, facilities management, whole life costs and new materials and products.

New initiatives have also been added to improve face-to-face networking, discussion and access to topical information. Senior executive level Investor Round Tables will be held each day. Cityscape Connect sessions take place on 6 and 7 October 2009 with subjects such as Dubai prices, market transparency and affordable housing.

There will also be a City Leaders Forum on 5 October 2009 and a CEO Business Lunch on 6 October 2009. There are also the Cityscape Awards, the prestigious architectural awards under the theme Design for an Emerging World at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on 6 October 2009.

Cityscape Dubai’s foundation sponsors this year are Dubai Properties Group, a member of Dubai Holding, and a pioneering community developer offering services in real estate, retail, and hospitality and lifestyle management; Emaar, the Dubai Financial Market listed global property developer and provider of premier lifestyles; and Nakheel, developer of the iconic Palm Jumeirah and The World. Tanmiyat, a Saudi Arabian investment company and real estate developer in the Middle East, is the platinum sponsor and the Aqaba Development Corporation from Jordan, a private sector company aimed at accelerating the development of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, is the silver sponsor.

For full details of Cityscape Dubai 2009 and its events, please visit: www.cityscape.ae


About Cityscape
Cityscape, organised by IIR Middle East which is part of Informa plc, encompasses a series of exhibitions and conferences that take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Asia; Saudi Arabia; USA; Latin America; and India.

Major developers show confidence in Cityscape

Major developers show confidence in Cityscape

Participation of key master developers underscores strategy to boost market confidence “.time to learn from the challenges…and to focus on the opportunities and threats that lie ahead,” says Cityscape


Master developers such as Emaar, Dubai Properties Group, Nakheel and Abu Dhabi’s Aldar are just some of the big brands participating in Cityscape Dubai, as a part of their collective strategies to augment investor confidence.

Meraas, a real estate investment company with operations and assets in the United Arab Emirates and abroad, continues to support Cityscape Dubai, which takes place from Monday 5 October to Thursday 8 October 2009. By using Cityscape as a platform, Meraas is also demonstrating its confidence in the real estate sector in Dubai.

“We have been emphasising for some time now that the objectives for many developers exhibiting at Cityscape Dubai is to reassure existing and potential investors,” said Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director, Cityscape.

“Clearly, no-one is expecting to see multi-billion dollar project launches or major finance deals being brokered. Instead they will be focusing on transparent progress reports on existing projects with realistic completion milestones and handover dates.

The announcement came as Cityscape organisers confirmed that, based on figures as of today (28 September 2009) this year’s exhibition floor space will only be approximately 30% smaller than in 2008. In addition the latest forecast predicts attendance figures will be down by 20%, a remarkable achievement given the exceptional market conditions which have left no region unaffected.

“The backbone of the Cityscape brand is its ability to reach local, regional and international investors,” said Marwaha. “Exhibitors and participants will continue to have access to private and institutional investors as well as other real estate professionals from around the world, which is critical if developers are to get their message across effectively to their target audience.

While the quantity of participants may have declined from previous peaks, the quality is being maintained with strong participation by major players in regional and international markets.”

Among other big names taking part are: Iskandar Region, Malaysia; La Defense, Paris; Meydan, Dubai; Mubadala, Abu Dhabi; the Tourism Development and Investment Company, Abu Dhabi; Bahrain Bay; Bloom Properties; Damac; Deyaar; Dubai World Central; Ithmaar; ADC, Aqaba, Jordan and Omniyat.

Cityscape Dubai’s foundation sponsors this year are Dubai Properties Group, a member of Dubai Holding, and a pioneering community developer offering services in real estate, retail, and hospitality and lifestyle management; Emaar, the Dubai Financial Market listed global property developer and provider of premier lifestyles; and Nakheel, developer of the iconic Palm Jumeirah and The World.

Tanmiyat, a Saudi Arabian investment company and real estate developer in the Middle East, is the platinum sponsor and the Aqaba Development Corporation from Jordan, a private sector company aimed at accelerating the development of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, is the silver sponsor.

“We have undertaken a number of initiatives to attract industry professionals to this year’s show,” Marwaha added. “Face-to-face networking, lively discussions and access to unbiased current information will be provided at a series of Cityscape Dubai special events. Each will bring together real estate experts to discuss topical as well as some controversial issues.”

The special events include: Investor Round Tables, the latest addition offering an exclusive opportunity for leading figures in real estate to discuss key issues; a City Leaders Forum will provide a platform connecting major global destinations; a CEO networking lunch will provide an intimate and exclusive opportunity. There are also the Cityscape Awards, the prestigious architectural awards under the theme Design for an Emerging World.

“The objective of these and other initiatives is to support the industry by providing a realistic and transparent view of what is happening throughout regional real estate,” Marwaha said. “As we see it, now is the time to learn from the challenges of the past 12 months and to focus on the opportunities and threats that lie ahead.”

Photo-caption: Rohan Marwaha, Managing Director, Cityscape


About Cityscape
Cityscape, organised by IIR Middle East which is part of Informa plc, encompasses a series of exhibitions and conferences that take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; Asia; Saudi Arabia; USA; Latin America; and India. For more information on Cityscape Dubai please visit www.cityscape.ae

Cityscape paving the way for Dubai’s next chapter

Cityscape paving the way for Dubai’s next chapter

Dubai’s reality check leads to more transparent business models and considered decisions as new real estate era beckons says Cityscape Dubai organiser

Worldwide economic upheaval combined with a radical shakeout in the regional investment landscape promise to make Cityscape Dubai 2009 (5-8 October) the most important real estate event in Dubai’s history, according to leading industry experts.

“With tumultuous international circumstances having taken their toll on the Middle East’s most liberalised economy, now is the time to focus on reality and the opportunities that still exist in this most dynamic of Gulf cities,” says scholar, investor and author Dr Christopher M. Davidson.

“There’s no escape from the fact that this year we will be meeting under very different circumstances,” added Davidson author of Dubai: The Vulnerability of Success, and a keynote speaker at the Cityscape Dubai conference. “We are living in a fast changing world, the very foundations of which have been rocked and will continue to be buffeted by unprecedented economic turbulence.”

Times of volatility will eventually be over, Davidson believes. “The growth and vision that has accompanied the rise of this astonishing city is nothing short of phenomenal,” he said. “And that same energy will find a way forward, paving the way for Dubai’s next chapter.”

Cityscape Dubai 2009, now in its eighth year and part of the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development brand in the world, encompasses a major exhibition and a series of conferences taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Davidson will give a keynote address – 2010: Can Dubai weather the storm? – on the opening day of the main Cityscape Dubai conference. The speaker line-up for the conference is unrivalled in the Middle East, bringing together some of the world’s most powerful investors, developers and economists for five days of discussion on the global real estate market. Included among them is Donald Trump Jnr., President of the Trump Organisation on Dubai: Why it is a long term investment for us.

In 2008, the Cityscape Dubai attracted 80,297 participants and 954 exhibitors. “Clearly, while it is still far too early to make accurate forecasts, we are not anticipating the same level of participation,” said Chris Speller, Cityscape Group Director.

“Like the rest of the world, the real estate investment business in Dubai and the region has had a reality check,” Speller added. “We are now seeing the emergence of more measured, more transparent business models. While considered decisions may take away some of the market dynamism, that is probably no bad thing at this present time.

“With a return to real market values Cityscape Dubai, like its sister event in Abu Dhabi, will return to its roots free from amateur investors and speculators. As such Cityscape Dubai 2009 will be truly business-to-business and the definitive platform with the greatest influence on the real estate industry.”

Alongside the main Cityscape Dubai event is the World Architectural Congress from 5 – 7 October at which some of the world’s most respected architects and visionaries will share with their experiences and outlook on architecture in a global recession.

The Cityscape Dubai Facilities and Asset Management Conference is on 4 – 8 October attracting delegates in the design, build and post-occupancy of buildings. There will also be a Cityscape Dubai “Green Day” on 7 October which will include green communities, green construction methods, energy saving issues, financing green buildings, regulations, facilities management, whole life costs and new materials and products.

For more information about Cityscape Dubai 2009, please visit www.cityscape.ae