EXPO REAL opens in Munich

The 19^th EXPO REAL International Trade Fair for Property and Investment has opened in the Bavarian capital, Munich. As usual, Moscow's display has been organised by the Moscow Government Department for External Economic and International Relations (DEEIR).

Moscow's stand at the Messe München GmbH exhibition centre was opened by Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation Mikhail Men, Deputy Head of the DEEIR Igor Tkach, Messe München GmbH Chairman Klaus Dittrich, and Consul General of the Russian Federation in Munich Sergey Ganzha.

Mr Tkach read out a message to the exhibition's organisers, participants and visitors from Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, which included these words: "Bavaria is the acknowledged leader of the German economy, and one of Europe's fastest-developing regions. We greatly value our productive bilateral relationship, and attach great importance to participating in the exhibition, which is one of the biggest investment forums in the world."

The DEEIR Deputy Head said that participating in the trade fair would give Moscow's exhibitors the opportunity to learn more about current issues in Europe's construction sectors, and to talk about priority urban development and real estate projects and programmes being implemented in Moscow.

"This year, Moscow's representatives at EXPO REAL will be able to share their experience of attracting foreign investment and working with foreign partners on implementing joint infrastructure projects in the Moscow region," said Mr Tkach.

In his speech, Mr Men noted that more than 6,000 German companies were currently operating in Russia, and that a third of those were from Bavaria. Conversely, around 350 Russian-owned firms work in Bavaria. "Our German partners remain very interested in doing business in Russia. Despite the difficult economic situation, new German companies are entering the Russian market. Among the most active of these are Horsch Maschinen and Mayer Maschinenbau in Lipetsk Region, Schaeffler in Ulyanovsk Region, and Schattdecor and Knauf, which have gained a foothold in Tyumen," said the Minister.

Mr Men expressed confidence that the joint work by the Moscow and Munich representatives at the forum would give an additional boost to cooperation in the Russian and German construction segments, remuneration of the constructive dialogue between leading players in the industry.

Mr Dittrich noted that Russia was presenting 12 sites at the fair. "Moscow is a strategic partner of the EXPO REAL trade fair, and one of its most important guests. I hope that, whatever the political challenges, Russia and Germany will continue their productive cooperation," emphasised the Messe München Chairman.

As part of the exhibition's business programme, Moscow's stand has hosted a roundtable for developers and government officials, including Mr Men and Mr Tkach, on creating a comfortable urban and business environment. The participants discussed regeneration projects for residential areas, the integrated development of the construction business, and the challenges of investment project implementation.

Held in Munich every year since 1998, EXPO REAL brings together representatives of public and municipal authorities, construction firms, architectural bureaus, banks, developers, investors, experts and other real estate and investment professionals from around the world. In 2015, it was attended by more than 37,000 real estate and investment experts and professionals from 74 countries.