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Bahrain's property market is booming at record levels according to exhibitors at the third Middle East International Property and Investment Exhibition.
Scores of real estate investors flocked to the exhibition centre last week to invest in projects ranging from off-shore residential complexes to commercial towers.
Waleed Hayek, project manager at Reef Island, a freehold residential development off Manama's north shore, said: "All the real estate development and construction in Bahrain reflects the economic boom here.
"People are asking for property and that is why things here have been changing so rapidly. In terms of economic stability, liberalism and security Bahrain is leading and the housing market is following."
Ahmed Shawqi, business development manager at Gulf International Investment Co, said: "Every year there are new projects springing up. There's a lot of money here and real estate is one of the most secure things to invest in.
"There's been a big change here in the last three to five years seeing a real rise in real estate investment, especially now that everyone including people from outside Bahrain can buy here."
Chairman of Sunset Hills - a 200, 000 sqm development located at the gateway of Al Areen - Mohammed bin Daij Al Khalifa, said there was an unprecedented demand for community-based real estate.
"It is becoming more expensive for individuals to build their own villas," he explained. "Residential communities are the way forward. We're satisfying local demand at the same time as creating a new demand."
Hundreds of off-plan properties were secured by buyers over the four-day event.
Sumaya Dashti, marketing consultant at Amwaj Gateway, a triple twin tower residential project in Amwaj said: "The exhibition has been a real success.
"We've sold 40 per cent of phase one in the first two days of the exhibition."
Nidal Al Fayyad, general manager of Landmark Properties, added: "We've over-targeted by 180 per cent. We've sold a lot of properties even though it is not as crowded as it could be.
"Regulations in this country are excellent which make it easy to invest and are encouraging investors from all over the world."
Foreign investors were well represented at the exhibition, accounting for many of the sales and reservations.
Amjad Shafi, leasing executive at Landmark Bahrain, who was promoting two residential projects in Juffair, the Residencia Tower and Marine Heights, said: "There have been lots of foreign investors here investing in Bahrain.
"The best thing about this exhibition is that you get some serious buyers; we've had more than 200 reservations so far and lots of enquiries."
International property was also in demand, with properties from neighbouring Gulf countries and the rest of the world on show.
Mina Al Fajer Real Estate's flagship project - the AED600 million sea-front resort that carries the company's name Mina Al Fajer - was showcased at the Bahrain show.
"Exploiting the natural landscape of the Hajar Mountains as an integral part of the development, Mina Al Fajer will stand out as a truly unique development, that will feature a carefully developed luxurious community with a five-star hospitality component," said Abdulrahman Al Awar, managing director of Mina Al Fajer Real Estate LLC and director of development and investment in the private office of Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"Property investors are always on the lookout for projects that offer superb value for their investment. What they will see in Mina Al Fajer is a spectacular UAE mountain resort with a superb sea-front that will include a marina, 48 mountain villas, 13 solarium villas, 70 marina apartments and 10 commercial outlets, in addition to a five-star hotel to be managed by Fairmont.
"With its superb features and spectacular backdrop, rare are the projects that can match its beauty and appeal."
Michael Bovey, of Bovey International Property Consultants, who was promoting a residential investment opportunity in Australia, said: "It's the first time we've launched this development in the Middle East and there has been a lot of interest even though it is far away."
