Mohammed bin Rashid visits Cityscape Global, Gitex shopper

Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the 11th edition of Cityscape Global exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre today. Accompanied by Dubai Deputy Ruler H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mohammed toured several pavilions at the event which is considered the region\'s largest and most influential international real estate event. Sheikh Mohammed stopped at the Turkish pavilion where he was briefed on several projects announced by Turkey\'s leading developers such as \'Maslak\' project which comprises residence, public squares, theatres, an international fashion centre and shopping avenue in Istanbul. Meraas Holding\'s pavilion was the next stop on Sheikh Mohammed\'s tour where he learnt about the various projects the company is implementing in Dubai which include the Jumeirah Island project in Jumeirah and Meraas\' \'Beach\' development which stretches to around 600 metres in length. Continuing his tour, Sheikh Mohammed visited Nakheel\'s pavilion where he was briefed by the company\'s chairman Ali Rashid Lootah on Jumeirah Park project Phase II which comprises around 377 luxury villas near Sheikh Zayed Road. Sheikh Mohammed also stopped at the Falconcity of Wonders (FCW) pavilion showcasing the company\'s multipurpose mega-project comprising various residential and commercial buildings including a huge retail hub. His Highness also visited Abu Dhabi\'s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) pavilion where he was briefed on Saadiyat Island development project. At Meydan\'s pavilion, the largest display area at the event, Sheikh Mohammed listened to a briefing by Meydan Group CEO Saeed Humaid Al Tayer on projects that are being carried out by the company. Sheikh Mohammed then launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens project; a collection of neighbourhoods will be centred on \'garden living\', with infrastructure designed to resemble modern residential locales. The AED4-billion Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens project various elements will be connected by canals and lagoons alongside a horse-riding trail, walking and jogging paths, bicycle track and sports facilities offering a wealth of activity and leisure options for residents. Sheikh Mohammed gave the name \'Victory Tower\' to Meydan\'s newly-launched project which is set to dominate the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline in Dubai representing the group\'s first foray outside the iconic sporting, business and lifestyle destination Meydan City. Expressing his satisfaction with the significant growth Cityscape Global 2012 has attained over past year\'s edition, Sheikh Mohammed considered that the huge demand by participating entities coupled with an increase of 50% in display areas this year marks a vigorous and healthy comeback for the real estate sector in Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed also toured the Gitex Shoppers, the largest consumer IT and electronics show in the Middle East, being held at the DWTC. The exhibiting area of Gitex Shopper stretches on 35,000 square meters. Following the overwhelming public demand, Sheikh Mohammed ordered that the show be held twice a year to enable visitors to get acquainted with the latest innovations in the IT and electronics fields. Accompanying Sheikh Mohammed on his tours were Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office Ahmed Abdullah Al Shaikh, Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality Khalifa Saeed Suleiman and CEO of the Dubai World Trade Centre Hilal Saeed Al Marri in addition to a number of state officials.