Qatar’s profile as a leading investor in global real estate projects has drawn a record level of participation of international exhibitors at Cityscape Qatar which opens today, event organisers Informa Exhibitions and q.Media said in a statement yesterday.
Cityscape Qatar, taking place under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, is described as the region’s leading real estate exhibition and conference.
The Minister of Economy and Commerce HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani will inaugurate the three-day event at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Deep Marwaha, group director, Cityscape, pointed out that the number of high profile investments and acquisitions in recent years have established Qatar as “one of the leading and most astute investor” in real
estate around the world.
Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, currently invests roughly $50bn abroad according to figures published on its website. Financial analysts estimate that roughly $10 to $20bn is invested in real estate deals. Qatari corporate and retail investors have also contributed to
Qatar’s profile.
“In London alone Qatar has acquired Harrods, the Shard, the Olympic Village, the former US embassy building, Chelsea Barracks and other landmark properties. In France, an equally impressive list includes 52 Avenue des Champs-Elysees, Printemps, Virgin Megastore and a host of leading hotels. For many observers Qatar has become the international investment partner of choice,” he said.
“Qatar’s growing international real estate portfolio has had a direct impact on international participation at Cityscape Qatar, which is up from 2013. In all, 55% of all exhibitors are from abroad with participants confirmed from regional countries such as Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey, as well as major Western markets such as the UK, the US and Spain. We also have exhibitors from as far afield as Latin America,” said Marwaha.
Cityscape Qatar 2014 is supported by its foundations sponsors Ezdan Holding Group and United Development Company, with Qatari Diar Construction Products Company and Mall of Qatar as silver sponsors.