Strong line-up of speakers for the Malta Real Estate Forum 2009

EMCS is holding the third edition of The Malta Real Estate Forum on Friday with a strong line-up of speakers at the Hilton in St Julians.

The forum will follow up on the issues discussed in the previous editions and will particularly focus on how design, planning and architecture can enhance the value of a property. As in the previous years the forum is being organised in conjunction with the Federation of Real Estate Agents and the Chamber of Architects.

"While we are currently facing an international financial crisis, we feel that the real-estate sector is a favourite with Maltese investors and foreigners alike. In times like these, however, buyers are expected to become more choosey and to look at opportunities that also satisfy their lifestyle requirements. Given the current scenario including oversupply of properties around the world - more emphasis on value is required," a spokesman for EMCS said.

High net worth investors are spoilt for choice: sea-facing villas in picturesque Mauritius, studio apartments and country cottages in Britain, condominiums in Singapore, and super-luxury homes in the Gulf, but more then ever, emphasis needs to be placed on offering more glamour to Malta's value proposition, the spokesman said.

These issues will be discussed and ideas will be presented by a team of local and foreign expert speakers including Chris Connell, a senior partner of the world class architecture firm Foster and Partners.

Austin Walker, chairman of Mepa will be discussing issues relating to Malta's urban planning and aesthetic value proposition. This will be followed by a panel discussion that will include, besides others, the CEOs of major projects and corporations including Claudio Grech (SmartCity Malta), Chris Paris (Grand Harbour Corporation), and Alan Camilleri (Malta Industrial Parks).

Issues relating to project management will be discussed by London based EC Harris while energy saving techniques will be presented by Solar Solutions.

Discussions and presentations will also centre on the options available in order to truly internationalise our real-estate product.

"It is in challenging times like these that the country needs to place emphasis on structuring its product proposition in order to reach out to an audience that so far we have not succeeded to significantly tap into. This will be done with the support of John Claverley, the business development director at Bovis Lend Lease - the world's leading project and construction management company. Issues relating to marketing will be highlighted by Quintessentially - an international concierge service that focuses on supporting high net worth individuals with all their needs including the buying of luxury homes all over the world," the spokesman said.