MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Gary Garrabrant of Equity International to attend Brazil's largest real estate event

Gary Garrabrant, CEO and co-founder (with Sam Zell) of Equity International (Photo Reuters)

Gary Garrabrant, CEO and co-founder (with Sam Zell) of Equity International, has confirmed his presence at ADIT Invest, Brazil's biggest event in the field of real estate and tourism investment, to be held in Fortaleza from 10 – 12 May.

Luiz Henrique Lessa, president of ADIT, Brazil's Association for Real Estate and Tourism Development, says Mr. Garrabrant's participation “will change the perception of those who still question Brazil as an investment destination”.

“Our enthusiasm for Brazil could not be higher,” said Mr. Garrabrant last year. “You've got this local demand that's unparalleled.”

Equity International invests in and builds world-class companies outside the United States, with a particular focus on identifying high-growth sectors in emerging markets.

ADIT acts as a bridge between the Brazilian entrepreneur and the overseas investor. The organization has an Investment Agency, a business unit with the remit of structuring real estate projects in the hotel and leisure, retail, commercial and housing sectors.

Last year's event in the Brazilian city of Natal attracted 1450 participants from 16 countries including a strong presence from Europe and North America.

An estimated 80 real estate and investment specialists will discuss sector trends in over 25 panels. A business round will give investors and suppliers the chance to discuss opportunities in 30-minute sessions and speed networking meetings. In the 2010 event ADIT estimates that the business round generated some R$1.8 billion (US$1.15 billion) of new business prospects.

Topics scheduled for discussion include the perspectives for Brazil's residential market outside the country's biggest cities; how Rio de Janeiro is gearing up for the 2016 Olympic Games; and a comparison of Brazil with other emerging markets.

A debate on the opportunities presented by low-cost housing in Brazil is also a prominent feature on the agenda of ADIT Invest 2011.

”I'm convinced that the cities of the north-east of Brazil currently offer an excellent prospect for high returns on investment, particularly in the low-cost housing sector. At the same time, I've seen for myself how money invested in housing projects can make a real difference to people's lives, by helping them get on the first rung of the housing ladder,” says Mark Jeffery, director of Origen Private Equity Ltd., a London-based investment boutique.

By Nick Foster - Brasilia