A Slice Of S’pore In Middle East

Source : TODAY, Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Showcase in Dubai gives investors a glimpse of life here

MIDDLE Eastern investors will get a first glimpse of what it’s like to live, work and play in the Republic at the Singapore Pavilion in Cityscape Dubai 2007, a three-day international real estate investment and development event starting today.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) director of land administration Choy Chan Pong will be at the conference to talk about Singapore’s real estate growth and its success in attracting global investors.

“Participating in such international property events has reaped tremendous benefits for Singapore as a whole. Our participation in Cityscape Dubai allows us to meet with potential investors and developers face to face, enabling them to better understand what Singapore has to offer,” said Mr Choy.

Over 250 Middle Eastern companies operate out of Singapore, including the Dubaibased Istithmar Group, which has successfully tendered a $1.69-billion bid for a 3.5-hectare commercial site at Beach Road. Their estimated $2.7-billion project, South Beach, will feature a mix of office space, two luxury hotels, retail and residences.

The Singapore Pavilion will feature public and private sector organisations, which include the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Marina Bay Financial Centre, Lend Lease Retail, Ong and Ong Architects and the Singapore Institute of Architects.

The URA will showcase Marina Bay, which has attracted around $15 billion worth of
investments from international developers for the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort, One Raffles Quay, the Marina Bay Financial Centre as well as other residential developments.

STB will be on hand to highlight the ever-changing Orchard Road and Southern Waterfront tourism zones.

BCA International, the consultancy arm of BCA, will provide multi-disciplinary construction-related consultancy to both public and private Middle Eastern agencies.

Local firm Ong and Ong Architects will be using the Singapore Pavilion as a platform
to showcase its three architectural projects — the Singapore Tower in Dubai, Boulevard Vue in Singapore and One Darmo in Indonesia.

A 20-storey commercial office project, Singapore Tower will cater to the rising number of Singaporean companies setting up in the Middle East. It aims to bring Singapore to the region, featuring a garden façade and a Singapore-style foodcourt.