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Some big names in the MEP industry exhibited at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2009, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from April 19-22. MEP Middle East spoke to them about the industry in general and the continued relevance of such high-profile exhibitions in a depressed economy.
Burt, Hill PR and events planner Dina Ibellini remarked that attendance on the opening day was definitely sparse compared to the previous year’s exhibition, but she hoped it would gain momentum later in the day and help boost the overall attendance to a comparable level to 2008. This anticipation and, frankly, nervousness among exhibitors contributed to a muted and tense atmosphere on the opening day that no number of PR smiles or flashy scale models could dispel.
Much of this uncertainty was due to a radically different business environment induced by the global financial crisis. Cityscape MD Rohan Marwaha acknowledged this perturbation in the status quo, commenting that “the development landscape is startlingly different from 12 months ago for both established and emerging markets around the world.”
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However, Marwaha defended the continued relevance of what one dismissive visitor described as “a developers’ showcase on steroids” by arguing that the Abu Dhabi event – the first in an international parade of Cityscapes – served as “a barometer for the future prospects of the real estate industry in the Middle East and beyond.”
Enthusiasm
Certainly there has been no lack of enthusiasm on the part of exhibitors, the number of which has risen by 31% compared to last year’s event. “We are delighted with this level of support in today’s difficult economic times. As elsewhere, the overall number of developments may have decreased, but companies continue to realise the importance of showcasing their brand to the industry, as well as to potential and existing investors.”
This cautious optimism – enthusiasm may be too strong a term to describe it – was definitely shared by the major MEP players represented at the event. Arup associate director Ian Neale told
MEP Middle East that, despite the slowdown in the construction industry, RFPs were still coming through the pipeline, most likely for projects announced some time ago.
“The interesting thing about existing projects on the go is the issue of outstanding monies. Where is the money going to come from?” said Neale. However, despite this perennial problem, Neale said that government moves to restore liquidity to the market had given a much-needed fillip to investor confidence. “Things are looking slightly rosier,” he admitted.
Diversity
Being a global company represented in a diversity of locations also helped to minimise the regional impact of the downturn, acknowledged Neale. “Architects are now chasing work all over the world as well as in the Middle East, and we have the centres to be able to work with all of them wherever the work takes them.”
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