The Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) organised and hosted the Malaysian Annual Real Estate Convention 2008 (MAREC 08) at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Mont' Kiara recently, from 11 till 13 January.

This annual event brings together real estate practitioners - including property agents, developers and financial institutions - under one roof.  Dato' Seri Ong Ka Ting, Minister of Housing & Local Government, was the Guest of Honor at this year's MAREC 08. Officiating the event on 12 January, the Honorable Minister expressed his satisfaction at the various benchmarks and standards attained by the MIEA and property developers, thus far.

"Regionalising the Malaysian Market - The Reality of Getting There" was this year's theme, based on the unprecedented growth currently experienced by the ASEAN property market in general - and Malaysian property market, in particular. With foreign direct investment and liberalized policies attracting more and more foreign investors towards Malaysian real estate, the Convention aspired to open minds into the vast business opportunities, available in the Southeast Asian region.

Featured speakers who shared their wealth of experience and expertise with delegates included John Pinson, chief executive officer of John D. Pinson Inc in the US; Willson Kalip, resident director of Knight Frank/PT in Indonesia; Marc Townsend, managing director of CB Richard Ellis (Vietnam); and renowned local mapper and property analyst, Ho Chin Soon of Ho Chin Soon Research Sdn Bhd.

MAREC 08 was sponsored by OCBC Bank, American International Assurance (AIA), iProperty.com, Expat Furniture Rental Sdn Bhd, Supex Mortgage Reduction Sdn Bhd and Exhibition Guide International.