GEORGE TOWN: The increase in the number of exhibitors at the Star Property Fair 2011 here is an indication that the property market in Penang is still vibrant.

Star Publications (M) Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Ho Kay Tat said there were 36 exhibitors now compared with 29 last year.

“We can expect a turnout of more than 30,000 visitors to the fair this year,” he said when opening the four-day fair at G Hotel here yesterday.

The fair is being held at Level Two of the hotel and ground floor of the neighbouring Gurney Plaza from 10am to 10pm daily until Sunday.

It is the ninth time the annual fair is being held. Admission is free.

Ho said that due to the stronger ringgit, foreign properties had also caught the attention of local investors.

“Thus, there are developers at the fair showcasing properties in the UK and Australia,” he added.

Ho said that since the 1980s, The Star had been involved in organising events, pointing out: “We started out doing education fairs and we found that such events can be very successful and popular.”

On The Star’s old office on Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling, Ho said the office was being renovated.

“The building is strategically located within a neighbourhood of historical significance.

“We will soon release details of what we want to do with it,” he added.

The fair is organised by The Star in collaboration with Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) Sdn Bhd.

The exhibitors include almost all the big boys in the housing industry along with several financial institutions.

Key exhibitors include IJM Land, Sunway Grand, Mah Sing, Ideal Property Development, SP Setia Group, Boon Siew Group, Ivory Properties Group, Nusmetro Venture, MTT Properties & Deve­lopment, Reka Indah Develop- ment, Belleview Group and DNP Land.

IJM Land is sponsoring RM30,000 worth of prizes for the “Surf, Click & Win” contest.

Among the many visitors to the fair yesterday was Roslina Begum Baharudeen who said she was very keen on the Pearl Villas homes developed by Tambun Indah Land Berhad Group at Simpang Ampat.

“I am inclined towards this property because the second Penang bridge, schools and banks are nearby.

“This is a suitable place to start a family,” said Roslina.

Goh Ai Lin, 50, who was looking for an apartment on the island, lamented that property prices in Penang were going up year after year.

SOURCE: The Star