EXHIBITIONS

SHOWCASING THE LATEST IN CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY:

The “International Exhibition and Conference on Building Materials and Construction Technologies”, also know as BMCT’06, would be held from March 18 to 21 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The goal behind the event is to bring forward the recent developments in the field of construction activities.

The annual event will focus on the developments in building materials and construction technologies. It will provide an opportunity to liaison with leading professionals such as manufacturers, suppliers and consultants from the Indian as well as international construction sector.

Being organized b FICCI, Builders Association of India and International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations, the event will provide a platform where industry professionals can exchange views and discuss new projects, joint ventures, and import and export possibilities.

BMCT’06 features a unique opportunity for organizations to create and produce their own special workshops focusing on technology development and skill enhancement. It will showcase three categories:

a) Construction machinery and equipment
b) Building material and components
c) Technologies

Topnotch experts and high-profile decision makers from the industry are expected in this mega event.

EMERGING TRENDS IN GLOBAL REAL ESTATE MARKET :

SELLERS MARKET

The year 2006 promises to usher in a period of acceptable but relatively lackluster returns for property investment portfolios, with sellers doing better than buyers.

The price Waterhouse Coopers global survey predicts real estate markets to reach a pricing peak. In 2006, cap rate compression ends and performance catches down a value gains level off. There will be cushioning of markets against corrections; still ample flows will become more restrained by year end as buyer demand turns less frenzied and more rational. Real estate should retain its relative value edge over stocks and bonds.

Modest property cash flow improvements from rising occupancies in most property sectors will help offset an increase in cap rates, with interest rates expected to advance. Full service hotels rank as the favored property type. Technology and corporate productivity initiative, including outsourcing, continue to dampen office demand growth. Demographics and high housing costs favour moderate-income apartments. Industrial warehouses continue to rebound, tracking moderate economic growth.

Pressuring net operating incomes, higher energy costs will boost landlord expenses and could affect consumer appetites and travel budgets, potentially hurting retails sales and curbing some recent lodging gains.

Pricing above replacement cost for existing real estate ma encourage a round of unnecessary developments and threaten steady progress toward supply/demand balance in many markets by 2007 or 2006. Rising construction expenses however could dampen developer enthusiasm and extend the ongoing recovery.

The surge in house price ends and condominium conversion mania hits the wall thanks to rising mortgage rates. Select overheated markets may deflate, but values just flatten in most areas. Homebuilder profit margins decline as costs skyrocket for construction materials.

Public capital markets’ influence over real estate grows, REIT stock prices may correct after soaring gains, but these public companies will continue to expand market share of owned equity real estate. CMBS offering proliferate, too, extending into more international markets. Pension funds remain poised to pick up some of the investment slack if private investor begins to pull back. Foreign investors continue to gravitate to the United Stares, looking for stability, while American capital moves offshore, especially to Asia seeking more opportunistic returns.

Investors favour coastal markets on global pathways. Infill areas-near central business districts and suburban nodes- will become magnets for increased residential and mixed use development as people look for greater lifestyle convenience in 24 hour environments. Investors will continue to scavenge for opportunities in more niche property categories- seniors’ student housing, medical office, public storage-as long as core categories seem overpriced.