The recent announcement of the creation of the International Development and Investment Show (IDIS 09) taking place at Riyadh International Exhibition Center on Jan. 11-13, 2009 has been welcomed by local and international real estate companies. Drawing from the experience of its three leading organizers, Saudi Arabia-based Star Group Holdings, Worldwide Shows and Events, and Bahrain-based Arabian Exhibition Management, IDIS 2009 is already being heralded as the most innovative and dynamic property exhibition to be held in the Kingdom. With oil prices at an all time high and huge reserves of excess liquidity mounting, investors in the Middle East have increasingly been turning towards the attractive alternative asset class of real estate and property investment as a way to diversify and secure their economic future. International developers and agents have been flocking to this growing region and in particular to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, drawn by the low interest rates, increased confidence in the economic environment and the latest easing in regulatory red tape. With the recent ruling by the Saudi Arabian Shoura Council soon more Saudis than ever will be able to own property and banks will be free to diversify income sources by providing loans for real estate projects. The International Development and Investment Show will be the first exhibition of its kind to answer the growing regional demand for property investment opportunities by providing investors unparalleled access to the most prestigious regional and global property developments, while providing exhibitors with the chance to showcase their latest projects to a wealthy and discerning clientele. Up to 35,000 visitors are expected to visit this prestigious event. Stephen Keys, managing director at Arabian Exhibition Management and co-organizers of Bahrain's successful Property Arabia, said: “The concept for IDIS 09 has been on our agenda for a number of years, however with the opening of RIEC, which is owned by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we have acquired a first class exhibition facility on par with the top venues in the Middle East. In fact IDIS 09 will be one of the first major exhibitions to utilize the complete exhibition center which provides over 15,000m2 of pillar less exhibition space. Dubai Shows one of the most well known real estate exhibition organizers in the Middle East, will be handling the UAE and international sales for IDIS 09. Their shows including the Worldwide Property Shows continually attract leading local and overseas property developers, estate agents, and motivated investors. “The demand for property investment opportunities in this region just keeps growing as we continue to enjoy this period of unprecedented high oil prices. IDIS09, with its regional and international scope of property choices, is the first exhibition of its kind, and a way for that demand to finally be answered. Riyadh has needed a top real estate event, and with many overseas markets suffering from the subprime effect, we have now an unprecedented number of foreign clients eager to participate in the Middle East especially in Saudi Arabia,” said George Betz, international sales director at Dubai Shows. Numerous prestigious exhibitors have already confirmed their showcase positions at the upcoming exhibition, such as Emaar, Al-Qudra, Royal House, Damac and Dubai Investment Real Estate. Organizers are expecting a large turnout of more than 20,000 motivated high-end investors to take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity to view property investment opportunities from around the world. __
