Al Jazeera returns to streets of Tehran

Reporting from Tehran has been difficult as the government placed restrictions on journalists following the disputed elections.

No rebound in real estate worldwide yet

RCA  released the latest issue of The Global Capital Trends Report, offering a comprehensive, up-to-date review and analysis of worldwide property markets activity using proprietary, independent database. Although most investors have been pulling back within their own borders, some major capital exporters remain committed to global investing.
Global Capital Trends provides an in-depth look at the region that has taken the lead in global transactions, with profiles of six key Asia Pacific markets. And with investors constantly seeking signs of renewal, the report offers two hard-hitting views about whether green shoots are sprouting-or still waiting for spring.

Summary of the latest issue:

Germany Bucks the Trends
As global investors pull back, Germany pushes ahead

Global Sales Hit Bottom
No rebound yet, but there’s little room left to fall

Asian Pacific Markets
Mixed signals from the top six markets; land sales pick up in China, office sales tank in Singapore

Notable Green Shoots
From big deals to small debt, life stirs on the real estate glacier

The Big Picture
Are We Nearly There Yet?

Price Points
Selected Re-sales Read the story »

Emaar steps out of Algeria

Emaar Properties decided to liquidate its Algeria-based investments following the new foreign direct investment (DI) procedures imposed by the government since year-start.

These procedures included reviewing the Algerian party’s stake in the planned local projects and banning realty developers from maquette selling. Moreover, the real estate developer was faced by bureaucracy and implicit war within the local financial arena.

Emaar’s representative in Algeria, Abdelwahab Sofian, told Shorouknews that the MoU inked by the group and the Algerian government has become invalid , as per the Group’s decision, adding that the UAE’s developer will take the necessary legal procedures to withdraw from Algeria.

Sofian added that no one can comment on the Algerian sovereign decision, as the country’s interest is a priority.

However, prohibiting maquette selling obligates companies to fully finance their projects, driving foreign investors away. He said the withdrawal of a leading realty developer may suggest a negative indicator of the country’s investment environment.
Emaar has started evacuating its Algeria-based office, which was rent at more than $0.5 million to monitor its four ventures. Read the story »