Continuing with our ambition to educate our clients on the fundamentals of property investment and global market trends, Intellectual Property recently hosted a series of seminars throughout the region. Events were held in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Tokyo over a two week period with approximately 800 registrants in total.

During the seminars we welcomed speakers from Vietnam, Malaysia, Poland and Brazil. Due to tremendous feedback from attendees we are now looking to make this at least a bi-annual event so please look out for the details of the next one in March 2008!

Please find below a snapshot of the markets discussed during the seminars:

Brazil; covering 43% of the continent, South America's largest country is set to rank amongst the highest economic performers in the world. With undeniably promising demographics and an influx of foreign investment, if Brazil performs half as well as its BRIC counterparts - Russia, India, and China - on the property front, we are in for some superb growth.

Germany; this European powerhouse is proving to be one of the world's most resilient driving forces in the global economy. Over recent years, Germany has taken a few knocks, however 2006 saw a robust growth rate of 2.5%. The property market declined between 1994 and 2004 but is now looking favourable again being the largest residential property market in Europe with a low home ownership rate of just 43%.

Japan; the world's third largest economy is a mixed bag. Low interest rates contribute to the accelerated weakening of the yen. However, a cheaper yen has shored up Japan's robust exports by making them more competitive abroad. The property market has been in decline for 10 years but now looks to be making steady gains, and with a positive income and cheap borrowing Japan could be a very interesting market.

Malaysia; 2007 has been a huge year for Malaysia with the suspension of capital gains tax, further hardening of the ringgit and property prices beginning to soar. The property market seemed undervalued for years and with the government's active encouragement of foreign investment, good lending and freehold ownership, not to mention strong yields, this market would seem a very sound choice.

Poland; the largest post-communist country in Europe has told a story of stunning success and modernization over the past 15 years. The service industry is booming, exports are soaring and economic growth runs at 5% or so. Merely 18% of owned property in Poland is currently mortgaged and with 105% loan-to-value financing now available to Polish borrowers, growth is inevitable.

Vietnam; is expected to register just behind China and India in terms of GDP growth for 2007 and 2008. Suffering from limited supply of first class housing in the major cities is seeing demand reach new heights, so much so that Ho Chi Minh City reported occupancy levels of 97.5%.

For further information on this project contact us.

The above commentary has been provided independently by Intellectual Property Ltd and is for reference only. As with any market, conditions do change and of course personal circumstances vary from client to client. You are therefore advised not to rely on the information above, but instead to meet with one of IP's team before deciding to follow any course of action. The Henley Group Limited shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss caused by the use or reliance on the information provided.