Cityscape Global, the region’s largest real estate event, will mark its 18th edition by launching an invitation-only day on September 25 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Designed to engage heavyweight investors across the global real estate landscape, the exclusive event will act as a curtain raiser for the annual show, before all other participants and the wider public enter on September 26 and 27.

The invitation-only component of Cityscape Global aims at increasing heavyweight investor attendance at the event, in line with figures released by Dubai Land Department that show strong interest in the sector.

The total value of Dubai real estate transactions jumped 33 per cent to Dh34 billion ($9.25 billion) between January and May of this year, compared to Dh24 billion for the same period in 2018.

Cityscape Global 2019 will facilitate optimal business matchmaking by identifying and connecting private and institutional investors with the local, regional and global real estate industry.

“Since its inception, Cityscape has been a focused B2B exhibition and over the years it has evolved into a real estate event for both consumers and the industry as a whole – a reflection of the market,” remarked Chris Speller, the group director of Cityscape.

“With the introduction of an invitation-only day, we want to get back to basics by using our sphere of influence and credibility to give captains of our industry and leading heavyweight investors the opportunity to explore their options in an open business environment. The invitation-only day is dedicated to supporting a transformative business environment by inviting GCC nationals, local and international high-net-worth investors, industry elite, senior global government officials and VIP guests,” he stated.

“Over the course of the day, investors will have access to a global pool of local, regional and international exhibitors to diversify their portfolio projects in an uninterrupted environment,” he added.

In order to boost the real estate market in the region, Cityscape organiser Informa Markets, is investing heavily to bring investor delegations from Europe, Asia and the US to source new avenues of growth in the UAE and region.

The show will also feature various country pavilions, including those from the UK, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Turkey, France, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

A ramped-up knowledge exchange format will see Cityscape Global deliver content to all participants over the duration of the event, kicking off with the annual Cityscape Global Conference on September 24 at the InterContinental Dubai, Festival City.

Thereafter, the Cityscape Talks and Cityscape Intelligence features will take place on the exhibition floor across the three-day show. Cityscape Talks is a free-to-attend live content offering that covers a range of subjects within the various real estate asset classes: residential, commercial (office and retail), industrial and logistics, hospitality, and alternative assets. Cityscape Intelligence is an exclusive B2B area focusing on investment opportunities in countries around the globe for private and institutional investors.