2015 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CHINA – SPAIN FORUM

2015 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT CHINA –SPAIN FORUM

Madrid, Spain

I. Background of the Forum

In March this year, the Chinese Government officially issued the “National New Plan Urbanization Plan (2014-2020).”It was noted that, China’s new type urban development model should be people-oriented, the modernization areas should be synchronized, design should be optimized, ecological considerations should be taken into account, and cultural heritage and traditions should be preserved. Driven by this Plan, a massive Eco-cities building construction program will provide not only a significant market for domestic real estate industry (project´s developers, builders,…), but also new opportunities for the cooperation between Chinese and the foreign real estate industry.

Real estate industry comprises many different types of businesses. Alongside with the main players like project´s developers and builders;there are also another type of operators like architectural firms, market dealers, investment and financing companies, legal consulting firms, etc. that play a relevant role.

Spain has an important experience in the real estate industry with some of the world leaders being Spanish, such as ACS, ACCIONA, FCC (recently with its new main businessman Mexican stockholder, Mr. Carlos Slim), OHL, FERROVIAL, Metrovacesa, among others.

Architectural firms are one of the most important players in the real estate industry in Europe adding value to urban developments and real estate businesses. These companies act like brokers, selling not only their technical and design services but their networking as they work currently with sellers and buyers holding strong ties with them. They have a great background of real estate opportunities (from land to urban development, industrial projects to development, buildings to buy, renovate and sale,…) and they give notice of them to their clients. They work like legal and investment consulting firms for financing companies that are focus to introduced mergers and acquisition operations to their clients.

At present, the cooperation between China and Spain in real estate industry is still at an earlier stage. The connections between different stakeholders are not well established. Due to the economic crisis;since 2008, the building and construction demand has fallen in Spain;, that´s why, now, it´s the time to be there and build strong relationships with Spanish’s international companies. It´s a great opportunity to work together and learn from mutual experiences. There are companies that have evolved from construction companies into land and urban developers;and even more, into infrastructure and services management companies. There scope of activity has enlarged, but also has its geographical scope, acting not only in Spain or Latam;but worldwide. Examples of all these, are the recently real estate investments in Spain made by international financial institutions like Goldman Sachs or Blackstone, by Businessmen like Mr. Carlos Slim, Mr. George Soros or Bill Gates.

As a consequence of the above, the Official College of the Architects of Madrid (COAM), the main Architects Association in Spain, expects to be a strong and reliable bridge to build safe relationships between the main partners of the real estate industry, so as to provide authoritative support for the friendly cooperation between the two countries in this field.

In a context of changing circumstances since 2012, Chinese real estate developers are shifting their domestic market attention to overseas markets in order to seek greater development opportunities. In 2013, the total Chinese investment in overseas commercial real estate reached $7.6 billion, with a year-on-year growth rate at 124 percent. This figure was $3.3 billion and $2.9 billion in 2012 and 2011 respectively. The well-funded Chinese institutional investors’interest in the overseas real estate market as well as their investing activities will continue to grow in 2014. In 2014, the total amount of China’s institutional overseas investment in commercial real estate is likely to reach $10 billion. At the same time, in September 2013, Spain issued the Law on Support for Entrepreneurs and their Internationalization, in which the Investor’s Residency Law, combined with the unique investment landscape in Spain, has encouraged the trend of immigration through property investment. Chinese investors are very interested in further information about the investment landscape and projects in Spain.

II. Objectives

In order to promote China-Spain friendship, cooperation, and increasing mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries in real estate industries;the Official College of the Architects of Madrid, and Beijing Architectural Design Institute (BIAD) plan to hold the “China–Spain Forum for Real Estate Investment”in Madrid in May 6th-7th, 2015.

This forum will include extensive discussions and information exchanges on mutual concern issues: the real estate industry new context, investment policies, business models and opportunities, green architecture, urban heritage and renewal, architectural design cooperation, etc. It will also provide an excellent ground for networking: business meetings and field trips will be arranged.

The forum will cover mainly three themes: Sino-Spanish cooperation in real estate investment, financing opportunities and architectural design. Many Chinese and Spanish real estate enterprises with overseas investment, financial institutions, real estate investment trusts and other professional institutions will participate in the discussions. Participants can visit examples of high-quality Spanish real estate projects and get an insight look into the Spanish Government’s investment policies from the professional institutions. Legal consulting services and financing services provided by the professional financial institutions would also be available.

III. Forum Theme ——City and Architecture after the Crisis

Presentation &Panels:

Real estate investment and financing opportunities in Spain

Interaction and cooperation between Spanish and Chinese real estate developers.

Spanish and Chinese architectural offices cooperation

IV. Organizations

Organize:

Official Chamber of the Architects of Madrid (COAM)

Architectural Design Institute of Beijing (BIAD)

Fang Spain (before named Soufun Spain)

China Real Estate Association (CREA)

Institutional Support:

Government of Spain

China Foundation for the Development of Social Culture

Autonomous Community of Madrid

Madrid city council

Beijing city council

Marca España (Trademark Spain)

Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade)

Invest in Spain

Spanish Association of Developers and Constructors (APCE)

Architects Club of ArChina

China Club

Local Organization:

Beijing BEM Architects &Engineers Co., Ltd.

Forum Are

2015 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS CHINA –SPAIN FORUM

info@forum-are.org

+34 91 369 16 92