World Influential Figures Flock at FIABCI in Bali

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A number of world caliber figures will attend the 61st International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) World Congress scheduled to be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, May 24-28, 2010. Among which are CEO and founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg, Temasek CEO Madame Ho Ching, and former US President Bill Clinton.

The State Public Housing Minister, Soeharso Monoarfa, and the Indonesian Real Estate central board chairman, Teguh Satria, confirmed this, Tuesday, Jakarta. Pingki Elka Pangestu, chief organizer for the 61st FIABCI conference and also the deputy chief of property from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), James T. Riady, were also present at the press conference.

The 2010 FIABCI World Congress is themed "Save the World: Green Shoots for Sustainable Real Estate". The congress is an annual gathering attended by the stakeholders of the world's property industry and hundreds of delegates from over 60 countries and from various professional backgrounds, such as property developers, brokers, government officials, consultants, and even lawyers. FIABCI has a member of 120 professional real estate organizations that represent 1.5 million professionals and 3,300 real estate practitioners.

"President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to inaugurate the FIABCI World Congress in Bali, and also give a keynote speech regarding global issues and continuous economic development," stated Soeharso Monoarfa.

A number of international figures scheduled to attend the FIABCI congress in Bali are Madame Ho Ching (Executive Director & Temasek CEO from Singapore), Bill Clinton (former US President), Po Si Lai (Governor of Chongching province, China), Xu Jiayin (Chairman of Evergrande Real Estate Group, the biggest property company listed in the Hongkong stock exchange), Madame Zhang Xin (Founder of SOHO China, property millionaire and known as one of the prominent international female figure in transforming the architectural landscape of Beijing city).

Other world figures invited are Jacques Herzog (Swiss architect renowned for his innovative Bird's Nest Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics), Skidmore, Owing & Merril (SOM, architects based in Chicago, USA, renowned for designing the Nurj Dubai, currently the highest building on earth), Mohamed Ali Alabbar (Emaar Chairman, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, one of the biggest property companies in the world).

And also, the FIABCI World Congress organizers are inviting Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook CEO, the young US entrepreneur who founded the Facebook social networking site), James T. Riady (Lippo Group CEO, Indonesia), Kiew Mun Leong (President & CEO of CapitaLand, the biggest property company in Singapore which is innovating company funding), Ken Yeang (the Malaysian architect renowned for his environment friendly home deisng), Dato' Yeoh (Chairman of YTL Land & Dev Bhd, one of the prominent conglomerate from Malaysia who owns a number of environment friendly projects).

Other illustrious figures scheduled to appear are Peter Barge (Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Chairman, Singapore, the world class hotel consultant much involved in advising the hotel industry, whether in business transactions, operationals, and environment friendly concepts), David Makes (owner of Menjangan Resort, Bali, the unique resort project that presents the natural scenery of the West Bali National Park), Ridwan Kamil (the young architect who designs with balanced economical, social, and ecological aspects), and Made Wijaya (the Australian architect who has resided in Indonesia for 30 years, then created landscape designs and architectures that reflect the local culture).

As speakers, there will also be the State Public Housing Minister, Soeharso Monoarfa; Jero Wacik, the minister of culture and tourism; Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika; national property figure Ciputra; and the Indonesian Kadin chief, M.S. Hidayat.

According Teguh Satria, through the FIABCI congress, Indonesia intends to urge property stakeholders from around the world to commit and take part in sustainable development in all aspects, especially in economy, social environments, and culture. The congress will discuss critical issues in the industry, such as innovations, funding, eco-property, and tourism.

The FIABCI congress in Bali will proceed for five days, and will be segmented into some activities. The first three days, the congress will be focused more on committee meetings attended by all the FIABCI board from around the world. Upon this opportunity there will also be the election of the new 2011-2012 FIABCI Chairman.

"We will also hold the Prix d'Excellence Awards, which is the arena to award the best property works in 2010, including nine of Indonesia's best," Teguh Satria concluded. (Robert Adhi Ksp/C17-09)