The International Property Show, an annual event dedicated to developers and individual retailers in Dubai, UAE triggered transactions of over $40 billion between 2006 and 2015.

This figure almost half of what it cost to build the King Abdullah Economic City Project in Saudi Arabia or nearly $10 billion more than what was spent on Gujarat International Finance Tec-City in India, Istanbul Finance Center in Turkey and Stratford City in London, a statement said.

Over the past ten years, the exhibition attracted around 99,883 visitors, with the UAE generating the highest value of deals. An average of 13,680 sq m of display area were allocated every year for the show.

The International Property Show Report, announced on the sidelines of preparations for the 2016 edition that will be held from 11 – 13 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, demonstrates the transformation of International Property Show from a transactional residential property exhibition into a major residential, commercial and mixed-use property platform.

The Dubai Land Department’s latest report reveals that foreigners invested over Dh46 billion ($12.5 billion) in property in the first nine months of 2015, with 132 nationalities buying property in Dubai. Indians came first with Dh13 billion, followed by Britons with Dh7 billion and Pakistanis with Dh5 billion. The list also includes Canada, Russia, China, US, and France.

“The sustained growth of the real estate sector is reflected in the growing number of investors every year to the International Property Show,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organizers of the International Property Show.

“The exhibition has emerged over the years into a prominent platform for retail transactions and investment in large projects. The next edition will focus on new architectural concepts and sustainable design trends such as underwater hotels, Hobbit inspired hotels, integrated safari hotels, and others.”

The exhibition will also highlight new trends in the real estate market, such as Airbnb, an online marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world, and how this would affect the hotel sector in the long run.

“The changing scene of FDI influences foreign investors’ interest in the local real estate market, as well as UAE investors with their prospects abroad,” added Al Shezawi.

International Property Show’s top 15 participating countries are: UAE, UK, India, France, Turkey, Australia, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Kuwait, Russian Federation, the US and Philippines. Similarly, the relatively new strong markets such as Philippines, India, Western countries and Turkey are likely to center-stage in the next edition of the show.

A Deloitte report says that population growth has the potential to drive demand for residential and retail assets. “Super prime malls will continue to experience growth in footfall, whilst residents will drive demand for convenience and non-mall retail,” said Al Shezawi.

The show is held alongside the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM), the world’s premier emerging markets-focused FDI event held for the past six years in Dubai and organised by the UAE Ministry of Economy. – TradeArabia News Service