Despite the widespread impact of the international crisis on real estate prices in the region and around the world, the real estate sector in Lebanon has maintained its strength and prices generally remain at the levels recorded in late 2008 at least. Investors in the real estate sector, especially in Beirut and the coastal strip have preserved the substantial profits made in the past four or five years exceeding an annual average of 25%.
With over 325 real estate projects currently under construction in Beirut, the real estate sector in Lebanon continues to offer genuine opportunities for developers and entrepreneurs, and to provide good opportunities for profit and a healthy return on capital. The real estate market in Lebanon has gained additional momentum due to the decline in profitable investment opportunities in many other countries that face problems of surplus or deficient liquidity, economic recession or fluctuations in financial and currency markets, in addition to the mounting problems encountered by the Lebanese expatriates which have forced a good number of them to return to Lebanon, or to explore the investment opportunities that it offers.
In the light of these developments, Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group is organizing in cooperation with the Central Bank of Lebanon and the Lebanese and other Arab economic bodies a first of its kind event, the Real Estate and Finance Forum in Lebanon on July 30-31, 2009 in Beirut.
The forum will address the following main topics and issues:
- Impact of the global financial crisis on the real estate market in the Arab world and Lebanon.
- Market trends and investment opportunities in Lebanese real estate.
- The future of Arab investments in Lebanon’s real estate sector.
- The legal and fiscal environment for investment in the Lebanese real estate, particularly the foreign ownership law.
- How to invest in the Lebanese real estate: Views and advice of experts and investors with experience in the sector.
- Solidere and future plans for the Beirut waterfront.
- The market for office space and corporate headquarters in Beirut.
- Real estate investment opportunities outside Beirut.
- Real estate finance and the role of commercial banks.
- Islamic real estate finance.
The forum is expected to attract wide attendance and participation in its activities on the part of developers, Arab and Lebanese investors, architecture design, engineering and contracting companies, construction companies and entrepreneurs, leaders of Arab companies and groups specialized in real estate investment and marketing, as well as banks and financial institutions, and other interested parties. As such it will be an invaluable occasion to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the many real estate investment opportunities available to investors, as well as to establish direct contacts and relations with industry leaders, experts, and providers of different services to the real estate and construction sector in Lebanon and the Arab world.
