BuildArch 2008 and Build Up 2008 Announced in Mumbai

Bangalore, India, April 04, 2008 - Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Deutsche Messe, Hannover, Germany (DMAG) have announced the institution of BuildArch 2008 and Build Up 2008, India's Comprehensive International Exhibition and Conference scheduled to be held in October at the Bangalore International Exhibition Center (BIEC), Bangalore. The event to be held from 21st - 24th October 2008 has been envisaged as India's most Comprehensive International Exhibition and Conference on Architecture, Building and Construction, Property Investments and Development Opportunities on a global scale. This is the first time that these three organisations have joined hands to conduct an exhibition.

BuildArch 2008 & Build Up 2008, the two concurrent events have been conceived by BIEC, CII and DMAG and will be held every alternate year. These mega events will invite global participation and will provide a unique platform for the Industry forum to discuss all the policy issues under one roof through high-level conferences such as International Conference on Building of the Future: Architecture & Construction, Green Building and National Conclave on Real Estate.

Speaking at the Launch here today, Mr. J P Nayak, Chairman- BuildArch 2008 and President (Operations) - Larsen & Toubro Ltd said BuildArch 2008 is initiated to showcase cutting edge,technologies in Architecture, Building and Construction sector and is an effort to bring under one roof comprehensively the options available on Technology, Materials, Interiors and Systems. The event is designed to offer complete solutions in buildings and building construction also highlighting critical policy issues that needs to be addressed to realize the immense growth potential in this sector.?

"We are looking forward to create this unique international networking platform to enhance business opportunities along with being instrumental in bridging the knowledge gaps and bringing together the industriesand the users for technologydevelopment, transfer and subsequent commercialization" added Mr. Nayak.

The real estate sector is estimated to touch US$ 50 billion by 2009-10 along with the estimated planned investment of US$ 475 billion over 2007-12 and an expected growth of 7-8% of GDP in India?s infrastructure sector has created a huge business potential in this sector making it an attractive investment destination for the foreign investors. BuildArch 2008 & Build Up 2008, aims to bring together, under one roof, all the potential developers/ builders and property purchasers offering one-stop-shop solution towards different facets of real estate and construction sector.

Mr Nayak said "these two premier events will go a long way to boost the real estate sector as well as the architecture, building and construction community in India. Complete building construction solutions will be showcased and critical policy issues that need to be addressed will be highlighted. Besides, BIEC is an ideal venue for holding national and international exhibitions, conferences and seminars. It is one of India's most modern facilities for hosting exhibitions, conferences and seminars with state-of-the-art technology and a unique architectural style."

Mr. Anuj Puri, Chairman & Country Head, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, said that the main objective of Build Up 2008 is to help industry understand new developments in construction management, architectural and design process and to bring closer the communities of builders and property purchasers.

Mr. Puri said that Build Up 2008 Exhibition, emerging as an apex international event on real estate, would showcase the investment opportunities for national and international investors in India. The Exhibition will have the participation of propertydevelopers, urban planners, major contractors, financial institutions, designers, consultants, financial institutions, property development consultants, engineering consultants,project management companies and government authorities, covering a display area of more than 10,000 sq.mts.

Build Up 2008 would feature a forum of CEOs on real estate sector and will feature high level conferences, including a National Conclave on Real Estate to discuss policy issues under one roof said Mr Puri.

Speaking on the Indian real estate sector, Mr. Puri said that it is the second largest employment generator in the country, is growing in leaps and bounds with the explosion in demand for construction systems.

Mr Puri further said that the booming real estate market in India continues to lure foreign investors. India has already displaced the US as the second most favored destination for FDI to invest in properties around world.

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Chief Operating Officer, BIEC, said that BIEC with its state of the art hosting facilities has been promoting conventions and exhibitions that help the various Indian industries to showcase their offerings to the world and attract global attention to the Indian market. With MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) being the new buzzword in the international tourist market, after hot spots like Hong Kong, Malaysia and Dubai, India is fast gaining its foothold in the competition to become an ideal MICE destination. The inbound MICE segment in India is estimated at growing 15 to 20% annually. It is estimated that the total national and international MICE meetings market all over the world is in excess of $300 billion. BIEC?s efforts in promoting the Convention and Exhibition industry can actually drive the growth of other industries.