INDIAN INVESTOR INTEREST WITH DUBAI PROPERTIES 60% CHEAPER THAN MUMBAI

Indian investors look to capitalise on 60% savings per square foot in Dubai property market

DAMAC Properties, the Middle East's leading independent real estate company, has today announced that a growing number of investors from India are showing interest in Dubai, as they look to capitalise on 60% savings per square foot in the Dubai property market.

At an average price per square foot of $264 in Dubai according to Colliers International, property is now 60% less expensive than in central Mumbai, where the price per square foot is $664 according to Jones Lang LaSalle.

In addition to the price disparity, Dubai's property market is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign investors due to the implementation of a raft of new regulations, such as the new Strata law, which favours home owners. As these new tougher and more stringent regulations take hold, Indian investors are looking to take advantage of the plethora of investment opportunities that exist within the emirate's real estate market.

Niall McLoughlin, Senior Vice President DAMAC Properties said: "At DAMAC Properties, we have seen a marked rise in interest across our Dubai portfolio from Indian investors; in January 2011 we had double digit growth in enquiries on the same period last year.

Not only are we seeing a surge of interest from potential Investors from India but also from other emerging markets such as sub Sahara Africa and China who are looking for quality assets, at competitive prices.

At DAMAC Properties, we believe that investors will always be attracted to all of the positive attributes that Dubai has to offer - world-class infrastructure; strategic location; established tourist destinations, proven business centres; a highly skilled expat workforce; and most importantly strong and stable government leadership. Confidence was shaken, following the global slowdown, however, the introduction of these new regulations in Dubai gives property buyers more security over their investments," added Niall McLoughlin.

DAMAC Properties has also welcomed the return of liquidity into the mortgage market, which it cites as another major factor in the revival of the emirate's real estate sector. "Now that banks and financial institutions have begun to regain confidence in the market, and are again in a position to offer financing packages, it will start to address the issue of oversupply - one of the major factors in the sector's devaluation," concluded Niall McLoughlin.

DAMAC Properties believes that Dubai's real estate market has changed considerably, and for the better. The introduction of new regulations means that Dubai now has a more transparent, better regulated real estate market, which will be a platform for building a more confident and sustainable pattern of real estate development and investment.

As the new regulations move the market away from the previous 'develop and sell' approach, there will continue to be an increase in the number of investors looking for more sustainable investments; investments based on holding assets for secure long-term income flows.

With 12,634 units under construction across the region and eight project handovers planned in Dubai in 2011 alone, DAMAC Properties continues to be a major contributor to Dubai's real estate revival. As it continues to extend its portfolio of luxury products, which offer significant investment opportunities, DAMAC Properties will be an enduring fixture in the Dubai landscape, and Dubai itself will continue to be a major draw for Indian investors.