Leading property consultant Cluttons has partnered with the UK's leading property magazine Estates Gazette to host a major real estate event at the Capital Club in Dubai, UAE, on October 21.

A first-of-its-kind event, "The Global Real Estate Debate" will see high-profile speakers including representatives from major real estate, infrastructure and advisory businesses debate on how the UAE can become the business capital of the world.

It will showcase the UAE’s ambition on the world stage, through partnership with Estates Gazette, which will be covering the outcomes of the debate in the UK.

Steve Morgan, the chief executive (Middle East) for Cluttons, said: "As the UAE gears up for Expo 2020, we are seeing a new wave of infrastructure and development projects coming forward. The major ones under way include the Midfield Terminal in Abu Dhabi, Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai and Etihad Rail, which will transform global access to the region."

"These projects will directly support the occupation of the booming office and retail markets, and the huge growth in the industrial and distribution sectors. With a significant number of jobs being created as part of this growth, the residential sector will continue to prosper over the longer term," observed Morgan.

“It is against this backdrop that Cluttons entered into this exciting project with Estates Gazette, to debate whether the UAE can become the business capital of the world. We see real estate being at the heart of this issue, and working with Estate Gazette will provide a unique perspective from London, which is widely viewed as the current global business capital,” he added.

Damian Wild, the editor of Estates Gazette, said: "It’s no coincidence that Estates Gazette has chosen Dubai to stage our first Global Real Estate Debate. It’s an exciting, thriving business centre and one with real ambition. With Expo 2020 looming large on the horizon, I’m looking forward to chairing a debate that will reveal just how high those ambitions can be."

"I’m sure coverage of this significant event will be of keen interest to our readers at home too. After all, many of Dubai’s most influential real estate players also have stakes in the London property market," stated Wild.

Besides Morgan, the speakers confirmed for the event include Anita Mehra Homayoun, the marketing director, Dubai Airports; Badr Al Gergawi, the CEO of Tamdeem; and Hazel Wong, the executive director, WSW Architects & architect of Emirates Towers.-TradeArabia News Service