Business Day Reporter

Opportunity in uncertainty, reflecting today’s economic climate, is the theme of the sixth IPD/Sapoa Property Investment Conference to be held at The Pavilion Conference Centre at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town on August 7-8.

The conference aims to highlight the range of new and emerging investment avenues that property investors can consider, with an assessment of opportunities in the rest of Africa one of the key topics. It will also focus on helping investors to navigate strong performance in tough economic times and outline the drivers of growth in a tight market.

Global real estate investment measurement group IPD’s South African MD Stan Garrun says the aim is to offer delegates an in-depth look at issues affecting real estate investment.

“Much has been said about South African property investors moving into cross- border investments in recent years, but a global economic slowdown could either scotch these projects or accelerate the quest for new opportunities further afield,” he said.

Nigerian property specialist Akinola Olaware and IPD Holdings chairman Rupert Nabarro will examine the spread of projects open to investors in Africa and beyond.

Another session is devoted to the growing importance of environmentally friendly buildings and the investment opportunities this may offer.

A full session is devoted to examining the nitty-gritty of green property investments, a trend that is gathering momentum internationally and is also being driven by tenants.

Speakers include Christopher Hedley of IPD Occupiers UK, who will do a presentation on the European experience, and Bruce Kerswill of the fledgling Green Building Council of SA, who will discuss SA’s soon-to-be-released accreditation system and its advantages to both users and investors.

Tony Key, a professor of real estate economics at Case Business School in the UK, and Francois Viruly, professor of property studies at Wits University, will co-facilitate a “property investment master class” for those wishing to brush up on the fundamentals of property investments.

Source: Business Day