Knowledge Sponsor: Strategy Sponsor: IREIS CONFERENCE th Thursday, November 20 , 2014 OVERVIEW This 1 day conference is an integral part of the International Real Estate and Investment Show (IREIS 2014) and is FREE to attend. However PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. The conference programme has been specifically designed to allow attendees to better understand the opportunities and the challenges pertaining to the property markets, not only here in the UAE but also further afield as demonstrated by the topics cited in the programme. From mega malls to regal hospitality suites, from museums to a state-of-the-art airport complex – Abu Dhabi is one of the leading hot spots of the Middle East construction boom. The property market in the UAE capital is also witnessing an up-swing with several developers entering the fray and new residential and commercial districts coming up. Reem Island and Al Raha Beach have been in the forefront of construction activities in Abu Dhabi and the majority of the residential stock in the next few years will come from these residential districts. Residential communities on Saadiyat Island offer highend options, and are preferred by families from the UAE and other GCC countries. Buying a property here is a good investment option because the area is expected to see a number of exciting cultural developments. These include the widely anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – centre of contemporary arts and culture. Another factor of Abu Dhabi as a real estate market is the liquidity factor. The market has the potential for further expansion thanks to the high earnings of people who live and work in the city. Abu Dhabi’s strong fundamentals, coupled with landmark lifestyle projects currently under development, is ready for another growth phase, underpinned by real demand from end users. This is happening in select developments in the city, without even having the long-awaited new property laws becoming reality. The property market in Abu Dhabi is shored up by the interest from end-users rather than from speculators. This property market has been on a modest growth path without any dramatic rise or fall. Experts believe that this steadiness is the inherent strength of the capital’s real estate market. Moreover, new planning rules mean developers will have to provide amenities such as new social, educational, cultural, recreational and healthcare facilities. The regulations will apply to developers planning new communities, and to the redevelopment of existing neighbourhoods. Many of these issues and more will be raised in the Panel Sessions described in the programme along with the all important debate on the essence of emerging market trends, master planning realities and vital fiscal areas of concern not only in the UAE but also internationally. Given the high level of expertise and standing of the Speakers and Panellists together with free attendance, early registration is advised to avoid disappointment. IREIS CONFERENCE FINAL PROGRAMME th Thursday, November 20 , 2014 CONFERENCE CHAIR: Dr. Hani Shammah, Managing Director, Morningside 10.30 REGISTRATION 11.00 WELCOMING REMARKS 11.10 MARKET TRENDS IN GLOBAL INVESTMENTS Nicholas Maclean, Regional Managing Director, CBRE 11.40 LANDMARK DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UAE – PANEL Mounir Haidar, Managing Partner, SDIC Oussama Kabbani, COO, Solidere International Ajay Rajendran, Vice Chairman, SOBHA Group John Kim, Partner, ae7 Moderator: Dr. Hani Shammah 13.15 Luncheon 14.15 LIFESTYLE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AS KEY DRIVER FOR THE CREATION OF DESIRABLE LIVING PLACES – PANEL John D. Davis, CEO-MENA, Colliers International Brendan Law, TDIC Education John Kim, Partner, ae7 Christian Kurdy, Managing Director, NSF Middle East Walid Moussa, Chairman, PBM, Lebanon Moderator: Karim Musfy, Senior Project Manager, KEO International Consultants 15.30 INVESTMENT, LEGAL AND RISK ISSUES OF CONCERN IN TODAY’S REAL ESTATE WORLD – PANEL Tor Svensson, Chairman, Capital Finance International (Publisher of CFI.co) Chris Taylor, CEO, Abu Dhabi Finance Carine Souaiby, Managing Partner, Knowledge Vision Consultancy Fawaz Moukayed, CEO, Guardian Insurance Moderator: Michael Aissaoui, Head of Corporate Finance Advisory, FGB 17.00 Conference Concludes