cityscape india to play ‘trump’ investment card

Published July 2nd, 2007 - 11:30 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

cityscape india to play ‘trump’ investment card
Donald Trump Jr. to present strategies to attract global investors in property development at Mumbai launch of world’s largest B2B real estate brand

Donald Trump Jr., Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions at the Trump Organization, USA, is to spell out what global investors are seeking to invest in India’s booming property market.

In a keynote speech to Cityscape India at the Bombay Exhibition Centre Mumbai from 19-21 November 2007, Trump will convey the complex strategies required to attract high net-worth individual investors as well as major international institutions, an issue seen as critical for long term growth in India’s property market.

Donald Trump Jr. is at the forefront of today’s young businessmen with extensive real estate development experience in the United States and the Middle East where the Trump Organization’s hotel condominium concept is to be pioneered on the iconic Jumeirah Palm Island in Dubai.

Property market growth in mature regions such as the US, UK and Australasia are experiencing a cooling down. In contrast, the property market in India, along with those of China and the Middle East, are booming.

A recent study by DTZ, a leading global real estate advisory and consultancy company, said India’s real estate market is estimated at $12 billion and growing at rate of about 30% annually.

Strong and improved economic growth, proactive policy initiatives like the relaxation of foreign direct investment rules in construction and availability of finance is driving demand for real estate across all sectors - commercial, residential, retail and hospitality.

Trump will point out that the major challenge for the Indian real estate market is to ensure it continues to meet the expectations of high net-worth global investors. He believes owners and developers must understand the “mindset” of prospective investors and offer unique and attractive real estate developments in a secure investment climate.

He said recently said what is needed is an environment that encourages developers to “think out of the box” and to redefine the boundaries of creativity, architectural design, and structural engineering.

He added: “Diversified economies attract a wider client base to draw from, thereby eliminating some of the cyclical nature of real estate investment.”

Rohan Marwaha, Group Director, Cityscape, said, Trump’s message was clear, “Foreign direct investment into India climbed to a record US$11.2 billion in 2006 and reformed real estate investment regulations for non-resident Indians and, more crucially, foreign investors is providing a new impetus driving the Indian real estate market.”

Other crucial industry topics on the conference agenda include: investment hotspots and development opportunities; winning formulas for joint ventures; current legislation, trade policies and growth drivers for foreign direct investment; the rise of private equity; the growth potential of real estate investment trusts; the mortgage market; opportunities in special economic zones and townships; hotel investment and mall mania.

A host of regional and international experts will address these critical industry issues and include amongst others: Trevor Williams, Managing Director Economic Research, Lloyds TSB, UK; Sameer Nayar, Managing Director and Head of Real Estate Asia Pacific, Credit Suisse, USA; Esam Janahi, CEO, Gulf Finance House, Kuwait; Chris Brooke, Managing Director Greater China, CB Richard Elllis, China; Sanjay Chandra, Executive Director, Unitech Group, India; Paul Logan, Vice President Development Southern Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group, Singapore; George Ferguson, Past President RIBA and Chairman of Acanthus Ferguson Mann Architect,UK; Sanjay Verma, Executive Managing Director, Cushman and Wakefield, India; Sunil Gomes, Director of Development, Istithmar, United Arab Emirates; Abid Junaid, Executive Director, ETA Star, UAE; Sushil Ansal, Chairman, Ansal Properties, India.

“Cityscape India is a unique event bringing together regional and international investors, real estate developers, architects and designers, governmental authorities and senior professionals in both public and private real estate developments,” added Marwaha.

The Cityscape India Real Estate Awards will also be launched to honour both existing and future projects within India.

Cityscape India has drawn support from leading industry players. Jordan-based Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority; Dheeraj and East Coast, from Dubai; and major Indian developer Shipra Group, have all confirmed platinum sponsorship. Global property service company GVA Intercapitalis and India’s Shristi have taken silver.