Outlook bright for Dubai property expo
PHUKET: The 10th International Property Show (IPS), which will coincide with the Annual Investment Meeting 2014, from April 8-10 in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, will attract 300 companies from 80 countries.
The Phuket Gazette and PGTV are proud media sponsors of the exhibition, which this year will be the biggest edition since its inception.
Supported by the Dubai Land Department, the IPS has emerged as one of the leading regional real-estate meeting platforms for developers, investors and regional and international companies working in this field.
Sponsored by over 80 media partners, the 10th edition of the show has attracted 60% of property developers and 40% of property related sectors.
HE Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General of the Dubai Land Department said that the IPS provides an ideal platform that brings together developers, real estate brokers, private and institutional investors, major local and international real estate companies, providing a unique opportunity to clinch lucrative business and investment deals.
He added that the growth rates of the real estate sector in the region were very promising.
“We are witnessing an extraordinary period and the UAE is a fundamental pillar of this growth. The huge investments being made by local and regional companies in the development of infrastructure are among the greatest, not only in the MENA region, but also globally,” he said.
Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organizers of the IPS, said: “We anticipate major regional and international participation in the IPS mainly because it is the first edition after Dubai won the bid for hosting Expo 2020. There is growing interest from real-estate developers from all over the world in the local market, especially Dubai, which is witnessing dynamic growth in the construction and infrastructure sectors.”
He added: “We are ready for an extraordinary show in April. We have received encouraging feedback that points to a great show. The UAE real estate market is attracting international companies and service providers that are keen to expand presence in the region.”
The previous edition unveiled 12 major regional projects by prominent developers. According to the organizers, this edition will see a higher number of new projects to be launched.
Of the participating companies, 18% are from hotel and leisure segment and 17% from commercials and residential, with the remainder including offices (15%), retailers (13%), urban development authorities (12%) and free zones (10%).
Exhibitors are coming from all over Europe, Asia Pacific and North and Southeast Africa. These will include developers involved in the development of residential communities and high-rise buildings, entertainment facilities, retail outlets, financial institutions, banks and investment companies, pension funds, asset management companies, authorities, investment zones and engineers of construction and interior design.
On a relevant note, the Global Built Asset Wealth Index, which quantifies the accumulated wealth of built assets of 30 countries and is conducted by EC Harris in conjunction with the Center for Economic and Business Research, has revealed that the Middle East real-estate market is expected to witness a built asset increase of 63%, amounting to US$8.7 trillion by 2022.
According to this Index, when it comes to built assets wealth per person, the UAE’s built asset wealth stood at $122,809 per person, while in China it was $26,000, which is slightly more than one-fifth of the UAE.
Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions is the leading exposition and conference organizer in the UAE, based in Dubai. The company has grown dramatically and contributed immensely to the exhibition industry. Find out more about the upcoming exhibition here.
Thailand Property FAQ
Can foreigners buy property in Thailand?
Yes. Foreigners can own condominium units freehold, as long as foreign buyers hold no more than 49% of the building's saleable area. Land cannot be owned directly by foreigners; houses are usually held through a 30-year lease — and since a March 2025 Supreme Court ruling, automatic “30+30+30” renewal structures are not enforceable beyond the first 30 years. Read the full foreign-ownership guide.
What is Thailand's 49% foreign quota?
In any condominium project, no more than 49% of the total saleable floor area can be foreign-owned. The quota applies only to condos — not houses, land or leaseholds — and popular buildings in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya can hit the cap. How the quota works in practice.
How much are property transfer fees in 2026?
The transfer registration fee is cut to 0.01% (from the standard 2%) and the mortgage registration fee to 0.01% (from 1%) for purchases where both the price and assessed value are 7 million baht or less — extended by the Cabinet on June 30, 2026. On a 6-million-baht home that saves around 120,000 baht. Who qualifies for the cut · Standard fees & who pays what.
Is it better to rent or buy in Thailand as an expat?
It mostly depends on your time horizon: for stays under roughly five years renting usually wins once transfer costs and resale friction are counted, while longer stays can favour buying — especially with 2026's reduced fees. The rent-vs-buy maths for expats.
How much does property cost in Thailand?
A little over 2 million baht buys a freehold one-bedroom condo in central Chiang Mai — the same budget covers only a studio in Bangkok's CBD. Prices vary sharply by region and city. Average prices by region, and what they buy you.
What taxes do property owners pay in Thailand?
Owners pay the annual land and building tax, and rental income is taxable; buyers and sellers split one-off costs like transfer fees, stamp duty or specific business tax depending on the deal. The go-to guide to Thai property taxes.
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