Interview: Chris Speller, Group Director of Cityscape Abu Dhabi

Interview: Chris Speller, Group Director of Cityscape Abu Dhabi

As Cityscape opens this Sunday and the property sector remains in limbo, Cityscape Abu Dhabi Group Director Chris Speller talks about why it still make sense good business to launch property projects in the region.

April 14, 2011 4:14 by Atique Naqvi

How big will be Abu Dhabi Cityscape in 2011, in terms of exhibitors and expected footfalls?

We have a number of formal and informal events over the four days, including the Middle East Real Estate Summit, which will see many experts presenting on a number of hot topics, with speakers including Jonathan Herps, advisor to SBK Holding, Abu Dhabi Capital and the Private Office of Highness Sheik Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan; Gurjit Singh, the COO of Sorouh; R Lakshmanan, CEO of Sakana Hollstic Housing Solutions; and Christopher Sims, MRICS MHKIS ACIArb, CEO of Naseej.

There will also be investor round tables taking placing during the event, an unrivalled opportunity for investors and developers to discuss hot sectors and possible partnerships in more intimate environments.

Ensuring that there are also opportunities to relax and network in a more informal environment, Cityscape Abu Dhabi has organised an exhibitor cocktail party as well as the highly anticipated Cityscape Awards for Real Estate in the Middle East and North Africa. Now in their fifth year, the awards will recognise projects and developers who have committed to excellence and innovation and is an excellent morale boost for the industry as it moves forward from the challenges of the past few years.

Since 2008 the global real estate industry has changed. Companies have disappeared and others have become stronger. But what has emerged is a need for transparency regulations and the need for Abu Dhabi to highlight its progress on the Vision 2030.

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Tags: Abu Dhabi, Cityscape, financing, property, Real estate