The global property world is looking at Asia with investors hoping 2009 will be the year to begin picking up potentially ‘undervalued’ assets ahead of regional economies emerging from the global financial crisis, said the organisers of Cityscape, the world’s biggest international real estate investment event.

“Though not hobbled by the toxic debts that have paralysed many of their western counterparts, Asia’s main economies are not immune to the global downturn,” said Graham Wood, group exhibition director of Cityscape.

“A surge in investment sales in Singapore saw over S$58 billion in property change hands in 2007 and 2008 and those developers who need to strengthen their balance sheets will welcome the opportunity to present their projects to potential funding partners or outright buyers,” said Wood.

Cityscape Asia is part of the world’s largest business-to-business real estate event brand and will take place this year at Singapore’s Suntec from 19 until 21 May. The event is an annual networking exhibition and conference focusing on all aspects of the real estate development cycle.

The event will see the convergence of leading developers, banks, institutional investors, investment authorities and senior officers from the foremost private equity funds and investment advisory firms, to discuss the key issues and investment opportunities.

Highlights of the three-day conference include: surviving the global financial crisis; the future for real estate funds; Asian REITs; markets to invest in for long-term growth and returns; country spotlights in troubled times; the Asian retail decade; and green investments.

Cityscape Asia is an extension of Cityscape Dubai, organised by IIR Middle East, which also includes Abu Dhabi, India, China Saudi Arabia and South America.