Dubai Property Investment Show, the region's comprehensive annual exhibition for the international and Middle East property market, and part of International Property Week, opened its doors on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 with over 150 participants from more than 25 countries. The show, organized by THE DOMUS GROUP, in partnership with Strategic Marketing, ran untill February 3.

Inaugurating the show, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Development
and Investment Authority (DDIA) and CEO of Dubai Holding said: "Exhibitions such as Dubai Property Investment Show add value to the booming real estate sector. This is a tremendous show, focusing not only on important UAE and GCC-based projects, but also bringing several international projects to investors in the Arab world. Dubai has set the pace for massive growth in the real estate sector, with other countries in the region mirroring the scale of development. The property sector is one of the biggest drivers for growth in Dubai and the rest of the GCC, with projects worth an estimated AED 300 billion in Dubai alone in the coming 10 years."

Several high-profile international projects were at the show, from exclusive beach front development sites on Sentosa Island, Singapore to golf resorts in Spain, residential villas in Australia, developments in New Zealand, condos in Malaysia and luxury villas in Phuket. UAE-based projects were one of the biggest attractions at the show, in light of overseas investors now being able to finance up to 70 per cent of the original price of freehold properties in the emirate.

The Property Show serves as a launch pad for many companies who wish to strengthen their position in the Middle East region. Several industry-related activities are staged as part of the International Property Week, including free seminars for private investors and real estate professionals and the MEED Middle East Real Estate conference, offering visitors a comprehensive and in-depth view of property markets.

"The real estate sector in the Gulf region has seen significant growth in the past few years, with the launch of projects that are unmatched in scale in size and scope for investment. The sector is witnessing buoyancy in Dubai and the other countries of the region as capital is being focused into diversifying the Gulf economy away from an oil-sector base. There has never been a more ideal time to launch such a show," said Dawood Al-Shezawi, Chairman, Strategic Marketing, THE DOMUS GROUP's partners for the show.

"Simply put, the show is a platform for property developers, agents, investors and buyers to interact and gather information on some of the most interesting properties and investment opportunities available in Dubai, the Middle East, and across the globe," said Guy Guillemard, Marketing Director of THE DOMUS GROUP.

Countries represented at the show include the UAE, Australia, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, UK and USA.

Business Bay, promoted by Dubai Properties as the new global business centre, made its first exhibition appearance at the show. Spanning several kilometres along an extended Dubai Creek, Business Bay is in line with the Dubai government's strategy to encourage local and regional investment in the country.

Dubai Properties, part of Dubai Holding entities and gold sponsor of the show, also showcased its Jumeirah Beach Residence project, the largest single-phase residential and commercial project in the world, offering year-round beach resort lifestyle at affordable prices and on freehold ownership basis. Dubai Properties is responsible for landmark projects such as Dubai Healthcare City, the expansions at Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City and Knowledge Village.

Dubai-based DAMAC Properties, the largest private freehold property company in the UAE, aimed to create local and international brand awareness for their projects at the show. Damac Properties has over US$1 billion worth of properties under development. To date, nine luxury tower projects have been launched on the Palm Islands, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai International Financial Centre and Discovery Gardens.

Saba Real Estate Group (Saba Properties) showcased three towers, all part of the Jumeirah Lake Towers development, Saba Tower (Commercial), a 36-storey tower, Dubai´s first freehold office development project and Saba Towers (2 & 3) a 36-storey freehold residential twin-tower project. Armada Group featured Armada Towers, a 34-storey development of three towers and the Salam Tower, the tallest freestanding landmark in Sharjah.

Among several other UAE-based exhibitors are GLOBALEYE, leading independent financial services consultants, and Dubai Property Centre, finance partner to offshore companies in jurisdictions as wide ranging as the Isle of Man, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Dubai.

Commercial property developments include Dubai Property Investment Park and Dubai Airport Free Zone, the show's title sponsor. Real Estate agents such as Landmark Properties, Akar Real Estate and Better Homes also showcased property developments across the emirates. Madina Tower, an exclusive development by Reef Real Estate Investment Company LLC, marketed by Sherwoods Independent Property Consultants was also featured at the show.

ETA Star properties showcased their commercial cum residential projects, such as The Belvedere, Goldcrest Views-2, The GoldCrest Executive, The Palladium and the Liberty Tower. IFA Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of the Kuwait-based International Financial Advisors Company showcased Laguna Tower, a prestigious high-rise waterfront development at The Jumeirah Lake Towers.

DEYAAR, formerly known as Global Real Estate Development Company, a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), showcased exclusive residential projects that are being developed in Lebanon (Solidere Saifi Apartments and Nacim Baabdat Villas), along with residential towers being developed in the UAE (Seef Towers II & III at Jumeira Lakes, and the luxurious waterfront property - Al Dana Tower on the Sharjah Corniche).