Largest PH real estate fair sets sights on property investment
Despite the glut in the United States and Europe brought about by the global financial crisis, the property sector in the country has remained robust and steady due primarily to the resilience of our economy as proven by better than good economic indicators.
This situation makes it ripe for local and foreign investors to put their money in real estate and this year’s Philippine Real Estate Festival (PREF) with the theme “Philippine Real Estate Opportunities for Foreign and Local Investors” will easily make that possible. The fair will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from July 26 to 28.
Dubbed as the largest festival of its kind in the country, PREF 2012 will showcase in its three-day exhibit the widest range of real estate products and services that cater to the varied preferences of both local and foreign investors. There will also be plenary sessions in all days of the fair that will tackle current issues affecting the property sector and will be graced by industry experts.
Guest of honor
Vice President Jejomar Binay, concurrent chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, will keynote the opening day ceremonies and will open the festivities.
Binay will also be part of the morning plenary session on that day along with Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Rep. Rodolfo Valencia and lawyer Miguel Varela, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They will discuss the Philippines as a prime real estate haven for both local and foreign investors.
The afternoon session on July 26 will highlight the significant contribution of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry to the property sector. Speakers from the BPO industry and the government will tackle the development of the office sector, next wave cities, and incentives and perks available for the BPO market.
Two sessions
The morning of the second day will focus on promoting the country to foreign investment by showcasing the various products available for investors based abroad and on how to enter the local real estate market. This session will be followed by a symposium on the housing and environmental concerns encountered by the real estate industry in the afternoon. For these two sessions, representatives from various foreign chambers, government such as the Board of Investments, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Philippine Retirement Authority, and property developers will be presenting their views.
Plenary sessions on the last day of the festival will touch on integrating corporate social responsibility in real estate development. Speakers from key shelter agencies such as the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-Ibig Fund, Social Housing Finance Corp., and Home Guaranty Corp. as well as representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the private sector are expected to attend.
Recognition
Aside from the seminars and the exhibit, the festival will also recognize distinguished leaders in the industry and the outstanding participating booths through the PREF Excellence Awards. There will also be product presentations along with a special display of designs from the country’s student architects and designers. The event is open to the public and is free of charge.
E-mail inquiries to pref_eventsmgt @yahoo.com.
