Donald Trump Jr urges developers to think 'location, location, brand' while marketing to international investors

19 November 2007

Real estate tycoon, Donald Trump Jr, executive vice president, development and acquisitions at the Trump Organization, underscored the key attributes that global investors would look for, prior to investing in India ''s booming property market.

Addressing a high profile audience, including prominent local, national and international real estate professionals, during the opening of the inaugural Cityscape India, in Mumbai today, highlighted the complex strategies required to attract high net-worth individual investors as well as major international institutional investors, issues crucial if India is to realise its mid to long term growth potential.

Trump stressed that the key challenge for Indian property developers is to ensure they continue to meet the expectations of high net-worth global investors. "Owners and developers must understand the mindset of prospective investors and offer unique and attractive real estate developments in a secure and transparent investment environment."

Trump outlined quality of product as fundamental, along with quality of brand, "High-end luxury gets into the best locations. Premium quality brands get premium quality returns. Investors are more willing to play for high stakes if the risk is minimal."

According to the Asian Development Bank, some 10 million housing units alone will be required by 2030 and with current central bank restrictions on domestic real estate lending, inward flows of overseas capital will be essential to fill the financing void.

Rohan Marwaha, managing director, Cityscape, a real estate marketing exposition, said that Trump''s message was clear, "Foreign direct investment into India climbed to a record $11.2 billion last year. Reformed real estate investment regulations for non-resident Indians and, more crucially, foreign investors is providing a new impetus driving the Indian real estate market."