Singapore is going all out to trumpet its attractions as a city to invest, visit, work and live in at the world’s largest annual real estate and city development fair here this week.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan will lead the Singaporean group, which includes a record number of government bodies and private companies keen to showcase the country’s strengths.
The Marche International des Professionals de L’Immobilier, which starts today, is a four-day gathering of city planners, leading real estate developers, architects and investors.
A total of 25,000 delegates from 74 countries will be attending, with exhibitions covering almost 24,000 sq m.
While Singapore has had a presence at the show in previous years, this will mark its largest gathering of public and private bodies, all under a 200 sq m Singapore Pavilion.
Last year, for example, there were just three Singaporean entities. This year, there will be four private firms and three public bodies attending.
‘We are diversifying our economy to drive our future economic growth,’ said an Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) spokesman.
‘Property is one of the key sectors we have identified,’ she said, adding that a Singapore presence at the show is important to showcase investment opportunities to the world and increase interaction with foreign developers and investors.
The Singaporean real estate investment opportunities on offer include Marina Bay and city centre sites such as Outram Park, while the Singapore Tourism Board will highlight the ‘vibrant tourism zones’ of Orchard Road and the Southern Waterfront.
The URA spokesman said the HDB will also be there to ‘enhance recognition of Singapore’s excellent standards of public housing and contribute towards the aspiration to be a premier global city’.
The HDB will showcase the redevelopment of Clementi Town Centre, which it describes as an estate where housing, educational, recreational and transport facilities have been seamlessly integrated.
Private companies, including City Developments and Keppel Corp, will be showing off their iconic upcoming developments.
‘We hope that by showcasing such exquisite properties, potential buyers will look at Singapore as a good place to invest,’ said City Developments’ group general manager Chia Ngiang Hong.
Meanwhile, Mr Mah will also join a panel discussion with the mayors of Montreal and Stuttgart on how cities can combine growth with a high quality of life.
And 30 key players from North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and the Middle East will be having dinner with the minister, as the Government seeks to ‘establish new contacts, strengthen existing networks and share with these decision-makers the exciting development opportunities in Singapore’.
During his trip to Europe, Mr Mah will also lead URA officials on visits to Paris, Valencia and Madrid, to garner best practices from these cities.
Source: The Straits Times, 13 March 2007
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