8-12 aprile 2008

«A total of 202 companies from United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and United Arab Emirates will participate in the tenth edition of International Madrid Real Estate Exhibition [SIMA08], where 42.668 properties from foreign markets will be commercialized.

The tenth edition of the International Madrid Real Estate Exhibition, to be celebrated from April 8th to April 12th, 2008, will mean its definitive consolidation as the ultimate global business center. This year, besides Latin American exhibitors, other companies have confirmed their participation, such as those from the Far East [Vietnam, Filipinas, Thailand, Malaysia o Singapore], -which represent a 7% of the international exhibitors-, and from countries with a huge increment of their residential markets [China, United Arab Emirates or South Africa]. Foreign companies' participation has increased up to 60% compared to last edition, and this year, 202 companies will participate in this area. Also, 64% of those international companies are from Latin America, and the most outstanding participation growth is from Eastern Europe companies, mainly from Poland, Romania and Hungary, which represent the 10% of the total.

The presence of public institutions from Latin American and European markets, and the visit from high representatives from Real Estate industry in emerging countries have allowed SIMA to become a real business platform and a privileged bridge between Europe and Latin America. Brazil's government, four City Halls from Uruguay, and Bucharest City Hall are some of the public institutions participating this year in the exhibition.

Along its ten editions, SIMA has become a thermometer which measures Spanish Real Estate industry activity, both in terms of its internal boom and in terms of its international projection. Moreover, the international participation in the fair, which is growing year by year, is a reflection of the high level of activity in the residential market worldwide. The most recent editions of the International Madrid Real Estate Exhibition have demonstrated that territorial diversification is a widely accepted strategy, embraced both by developers and by entrepreneurs, investors and final buyers. According to recent data published by Banco de España -The Spanish National Bank-, investments in properties made by Spanish buyers abroad have grown up to 2.937 million of euros until November 2007, which means 43% more investments -quantified in million of euros- than those registered during last year’s same period, and 25.1% more than those registered at the end of 2006 -2.346 million of euros-. “Nowadays, not only Spanish development companies are frequenting a global scenario, also Spanish buyers have attained maturity and they are looking for opportunities in other markets. Moreover, there are more investment tools and channels, which make easier to buyers to manage their investments abroad”, explains Santiago Herreros de Tejada, director of International Expansion of SIMA08.

International exhibitors' participation in SIMA allows them to show their projects to public from abroad, too; specially from European countries. “SIMA is the Real Estate industry showcase, where we can present our products to European market and it allows us to weigh up global tendencies which influence our business”, states Maru Galvez, president of Destiny Real Estate. Also Sergi Verge, from Immoban, considers this exhibition as an effective marketing tool. “We consider that participating in SIMA is the best showcase for any company, either this year or previous ones. This fair allows us to hobnob with the most important national and international firms of our industry; and offers us lots of opportunities to do business”, explains Sergi Verge.

Eastern Europe, in the spotlight
Spanish developers and investors also consider emerging markets from Eastern Europe as an objective. Countries as Poland or Bulgaria offer business opportunities and high levels of profitability to the most skilful investors. So far, Bulgarian market counts on one of the broadest representations in SIMA. "Bulgaria has successfully culminated a transition from dictatorship to a democratic government. Besides, Bulgaria is a European Union member, which means that macroeconomic stability and constant growth are essential features of its emerging economy", explains Santiago Herreros de Tejada. Companies such as Inmoban or Bulgaria House will be participating in SIMA's tenth edition.

But, without any question, the leading actor from Eastern Europe in SIMA08 will be Romania, with a population of 22 million inhabitants and the biggest country from the Balkans. Because its dimensions, it is widely accepted that this country is the best-positioned candidate to become the leader of the area. In fact it is the most remarkable business destination for investors because, among other reasons, its key location in the European map. “Romania is an EU member state but, when compared to other countries, properties prices are still low. We count on a big potential in residential market too: 90% of Romanian people have considered to purchase a new home in the next ten years, and in fact, 40% of them have stated that they actually will do so”, points out Ilias Papageorgiadis, general director of More Internactional Invest.

SIMA is a key opportunity for numerous companies which have been working in Eastern Europe for a long time. “We know that this event has a great impact and it gathers all the conditions we value in a business platform. Our goal in SIMA is to enlarge our client portfolio. Currently, we are working on our fifth development in Romania, one of the most appealing Real Estate markets, and we think we will represent a great contribution to the long list of exhibitors participating this year in SIMA”, explains Yolanda Moreiro, from Corus Land. For other companies, SIMA is a business platform and a bridge between markets. “We will be in SIMA because it is the biggest Real Estate exhibition of the world and a bridge between markets from Europe, Asia and Latin America”, says Laurentiu Bujdoveanu, general director of Moscopolis Business Agency, from Romania.

It is also evident that one of the most outstanding delegations from Romania is Bucharest City Hall. Authorities from the local government will present, in a 198 square meters stand, the most important commercial and residential project of this city. So, developers interested in doing business in Eastern Europe will be able to take a first-hand look to all Real Estate proposals to be carried out in Romania's capital city; and also, a broad range of land properties, buildings and other developments will be available for investors. Eastern Europe's residential properties, from Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, to be shown in SIMA08, represent a 32% over the total number of developments from foreign markets which will be commercialized during the fair.

All about Brazil
Brazil will play a major role in this year’s International Madrid Real Estate Exhibition edition. This country will count on with the biggest stand of the exhibition -1.180 square meters-, and a remarkable participation -with a delegation formed by 41 development companies-; besides, an International Program’s monographic session will be devoted to Real Estate investment in its territory, a topic to be explained by, among other specialists, João Batista, president of Secovi-SP, Sao Paulo’s Developers Association.
The major part Brazil will play in SIMA’s exhibition area will be reflected in the significant role it will perform in the International Program, through a monographic session called Workshop Brazil. This session will analyze this country’s Real Estate market, its business opportunities, and the key issues to be considered to safely invest in Brazil. In order to achieve these goals, a various experts will give their opinions and experienced view over these issues and will answer questions from investors and professionals attending this event.
Also, Brazil's Ministry of Tourism will sponsor SIMA08 International Professional Program (IPP), to be held from April 8th to April 12th. This institutional support from Brazilian government is part of a program devoted to second housing in foreign markets, emerging markets and new business opportunities for Real Estate professionals.

SIMA broadens its frontiers towards Asia
For the first time, Asian exhibitors will show their Real Estate proposals, thanks to a collaboration agreement signed between Planner Reed, SIMA's organizing company, and the “Asian International Real Estate Expo and Conference” (AIREEC).

This agreement will allow SIMA08 participants to get information not only about investment markets in Spain, Europe, America and Africa -as it happened on previous editions-, but also about markets from China, Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.

This innovative space pretends to become a bridge between Europe and the Asian market. Because of it and due to the collaboration of Susan Barlin, director of AIREEC, sales representatives from the most promising Asian markets will attend the exhibition. By other hand, some authorities from these countries' public institutions will visit SIMA, such as the Spanish Ambassador in The Philippines and the Minister of Tourism from that country.

Punta del Este celebrates its centenary in SIMA
Punta del Este attends SIMA, for second consecutive year, hand in hand with Destino Punta del Este, a public-private association formed by 21 companies from Uruguayan Real Estate Industry, plus BBVA Uruguay, Pluna Airlines and the regional government from Maldonado (Intendencia de Maldonado, one of the 19 departments of Uruguay). This delegation, which will celebrate the centenary of this beautiful seaside city foundation, will come to SIMA with the most exclusive second-home options available in Latin America.

Those who visit Destino Punta del Este's stand will find a selection of almost 2.000 of the best and most spectacular residential tourism properties available in this city, of different kinds, such as magnificent seafront apartments and penthouses
overlooking the Atlantic beaches and the green hills of Punta del Este; modern resorts oriented to the practice of golf or nautical sports, superb manors with vast lands around them and splendid villas surrounded by woods where indigenous vegetation coexist with lakes, small rivers and local exotic animals. Destino Punta del Este will also take to SIMA resorts with the ultimate in luxury and the most gorgeous hotels of Punta del Este, as well as unbeatable accommodation options in the most exclusive districts» ( CS della Fiera ).