The Hindu Business Line : RE/MAX upbeat on Asia

RE/MAX, the international real estate brokerage franchise network, has expanded into eight States with 28 offices since April when it started operations in India. It is present in Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

According to a press release, RE/MAX International Vice-President, , Mr Larry Oberly, who addressed the first RE/MAX Winter Conference at Jim Corbett recently, said “the Asian markets are going to lead the next global boom in realty sector.” The event was the first meeting of about hundred RE/MAX associates from across the country to discuss the plans of the organisation under the mentorship of Mr Oberly and Mr Sam Chopra, Director, RE/MAX India.

Real-estate franchising is an emerging concept in the Indian realty sector. With the proposed regulator of real estate and licensing for brokers, franchising networks such as RE/MAX are expected to bring about the organisation of the trade and elevate the standards of operations.

The downturn in the realty sectors has seen a mass exodus of people from the sector and the existing brokers are looking to expand their network and means for training and promotion, the release said.

The release quoted Mr Sam Chopra, saying, the realtor has realised the power of networking with organisations such as National Association of Realtors (India) and Association of Certified Realtors of India gaining strength.

Franchising networks such as RE/MAX act as a support system for brokers. This would also mean that Indian developers will be able to sell their properties to NRIs globally through the RE/MAX network.

Baicon 2010 from Jan 22

The Builders' Association of India (Southern Centre) plans to organise Baicon 2010 an international exposition on construction, equipment, materials and technology.

The three-day event between January 22 and 24, 2010, is to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre. The organisers have provided for real time online space booking facility at www.baicon.in/onlinebooking.com.

The event will showcase a wide range of materials and equipment — including earthmoving and road-making machinery, construction vehicles, concreting machinery, aggregates, concrete, admixtures, foundation material, wall and facades — and technologies such as roller compacted concrete, smart and intelligent buildings and trenchless technology.

World design capital

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) has conferred the World Design Capital™ (WDC) 2012 to the City of Helsinki, Finland, at the recent ICSID World Design Congress in Singapore. Helsinki will be the third city to hold the biennial designation in 2012.

Appointed to cities for their accomplishments and commitment to design as a tool for social, cultural and economic development, the designation is a project by the Icsid to promote the impact of design on quality of life.

For Helsinki, design has for decades been a pivotal enabler to building an open city.

The concept of ‘Embedded Design' has tied design to innovation and has enabled desirable solutions that have addressed the needs of its inhabitants. Helsinki Design includes well-known global brands, such as Nokia, Kone and Marimekko, popular events, like the annual Helsinki Design Week, outstanding education and research institutions, such as the University of Art and Design Helsinki, and exemplary architects and designers such as Eliel Saarinen and Alvar Aalto.

ICSID President Prof. Carlos Hinrichsen stated: “The WDC designation impresses upon cities, the importance of design as a primary developmental tool.” From urban regeneration and planning policies, to product development and technology, these and other developmental initiatives have proven that design can be used for the betterment of the human condition.”

A comprehensive SWOT analysis was implemented during the deliberations resulting in a unanimous final selection.

The City of Helsinki will follow in the footsteps of Torino (Italy) and Seoul (South Korea) to develop an inviting programme for 2012.

The ICSID, founded in 1957, is an international non-governmental organisation for professional industrial design. It has over 150 members in more than 50 countries, representing an estimated 150,000 designers worldwide.

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