Russians Ignore Banking Crisis In Search For Property Investments

As the global economy was engulfed in crisis last week over 6,000 Russians were searching for investment bargains at the third Moscow International Property Show. The two-day show with 154 exhibitors was rated an outstanding success by participants and organisers, the Ai Group.The two-day show attracted 6,293 visitors to stands representing investment class properties in 28 countries and left most participants exhausted and out of brochures.The visitors were keen to buy, and developers with properties ranging from mountain top villas overlooking the Mediterranean on the island of Cyprus to a futuristic beach front skyscraper in Thailand were busy fielding enquiries from well heeled Russians apparently oblivious to the global banking crisis.A leading Australian developer, exhibiting for the second time at the show, left delighted with the number and quality of potential clients he had discussions with, reporting more than 60 serious enquiries.The Bulgarian Salon, with 45 Bulgarian developers was the biggest national presence but exhibitors were out in force from Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Panama, Turkey and Egypt amongst others, in search of Russian investors. The visitors, largely representing an increasingly wealthy Russian upper middle class were obviously serious in their intent to find worldwide bargains.Middle class Russians, since the bank crises that enveloped the country from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the 1998 default, have been cautious to commit the bulk of their funds to both banks and stocks. Property has always been a key element of Russian investment and savings and the majority of completions both local and international have been done for cash.This makes Russian investors a key target for international property developers according to the organisers of the Moscow International Investment Shows, the Ai Group.............................Ai Group, Russia, a Moscow based internationally-managed company, has been at the leading edge of innovation and development in Russia since 1992. By building on the experience of the early ‘pioneer' days, this Company has established a desirable position of strength within the market. Well aware of day to day developments, Ai Group Russia continues to combine creativity and experience to promote and market products to this lucrative market. Our workshop and exhibition experience is vast with 7 events now scheduled each year: Moscow International Property Shows - April & November; Moscow International Investment Shows - March & October: St. Petersburg International Property Shows - March & October: Moscow International MICE Forums - March; Golf & Luxury Travel Receptions - March & September.