The Beginning of Something Extraordinary: Reflections on the Final Day of the Global Property Expo 2025 in Singapore

The tone of the day was grounded in learning, global dialogue, and strategic visioning. After three days of dynamic exchange, one thing is clear, this event has the potential to become the major real estate platform in Southeast Asia, and possibly one of the most relevant globally. With the continued support and collaboration of all partners, speakers, sponsors, and industry stakeholders, what we’ve seen emerge in Singapore is not just a fair, it’s a foundation for an evolving global real estate ecosystem.

The final day began with a compelling session on one of the rising stars in the Gulf: Ras Al Khaimah. Simon Cook (Marjan) presented the vision behind this fast-growing emirate, showcasing how world-class projects like the Wynn Resorts casino development on Al Marjan Island are positioning RAK as a game-changing destination. From hospitality to mixed-use developments, this spotlight revealed real potential for international investors who are now looking beyond traditional UAE hubs.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Paulo Lopes;

In a region overflowing with opportunity, the presence of Emaar and Damac Properties was a clear signal of this event’s weight and future promise. Emaar, the powerhouse behind Dubai's most iconic landmarks, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, demonstrated its enduring influence and world-class execution. Damac, equally renowned, reminded the audience of the group's bold innovations, from Versace-branded towers to entire luxury communities like Damac Hills and Lagoons. Having these two titans present in Singapore sent a resounding message: APAC is the new frontier for global real estate exchange.

As the day continued, the Expo maintained its intellectual edge with practical and progressive panel discussions. One standout moment was the session “Owning a Piece of Japan,” moderated by Abigail Olemos-da Silva (LeadingRE), with expert contributions from Satoshi Murakami (MetaProp), Meg Tang (JLL Japan), Marilyn Tan (JLL Singapore), and Manabu Suzuki (International Property Agent). They demystified Japan’s property laws and buyer strategies in cities like Tokyo and Sapporo, markets now drawing international attention.

This global narrative was reinforced in sessions on fractional ownership and tokenisation, led by innovators like Samuel Lee (Fraxtor) and Giles Adams (ThirdHome). Moderated by James Puddle (JLL), the panel asked a provocative question: Is the democratisation of luxury property a revolution or a mirage? The discussion opened new mental doors, showing how tech platforms are enabling bite-sized, diversified real estate portfolios for investors previously locked out of premium markets.

Later in the afternoon, one of the most valuable sessions for new investors, “Residential Investment 101,” gave newcomers a clear blueprint for getting started. With expert panelists like Sam Kam (InteRealtor) and Minoli Wickramasinghe (Capital Trust Properties), and moderated by Joel Kwok (JLL), it reminded us that no matter how advanced the industry becomes, education remains the key to empowerment.

One of my personal highlights came with the honor of moderating and participating in the panel “Global Landlords: How HNWIs Are Building Passive Income Across Borders.” Alongside Abhii Dabas (INTRIC Technologies) and Giles Adams, we explored how seasoned investors are using real estate not just to live in, but to leverage as income-generating machines in multiple jurisdictions. From structuring global portfolios to maximizing yields across currencies, this panel captured a growing mindset shift among modern investors.

Following that, the conversation moved into the branded real estate space. From Alex Blencowe’s session on branded ROI, to the panel with Ben Grint (Brand Atlas) and Erin Juhl (EDG Design), moderated by Daniel Peros (LeadingRE), the energy around this theme confirmed that we’re entering an age where real estate is not only about square meters, but about brand equity, emotion, and storytelling.

As the day neared its close, Tasos Stavrou (LeadingRE), Marian Dzhenkov (Lifetime Capital), and Robert Chadwick (America Mortgages) provided a brilliant panel on international property financing, followed by an insightful fireside chat on America’s innovation hubs, led by Donald Klip and Jean-Baptiste Rugiero. Their perspectives on Boston, California, and the broader U.S. market were a valuable bridge for global investors looking West.

It was an honor for me to also moderate the final panel of the entire Expo, “Buyers’ Toolkit: Your Next Steps to Owning Property Abroad.” Joined by James Puddle, Tasos Stavrou, and Adam Souissi, we distilled key insights from the entire Expo into a practical checklist. It was a fitting conclusion that turned inspiration into action.

Being given the final panel slot of the event was not only a professional honor but a deeply personal recognition. It confirmed to me that my presence, both as CEO of Casaiberia and as Global Ambassador of The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, was meaningful and valued. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizers, especially our partners and friends at JLL Singapore and JLL Portugal, for their trust and collaboration. I also want to thank The Portugal News, which I included as a media partner on my own initiative, helping to amplify this experience to readers around the world.

From the beginning, I believed this fair could be something significant. Now, I am certain it has all the ingredients to become the premier real estate event in Southeast Asia, and perhaps a global cornerstone in our industry’s calendar.

Over the past three days, we have seen deals discussed, knowledge shared, and relationships built across continents, from Boston to Bangkok, Dubai to Tokyo, Sydney to Lisbon. And yet, the most powerful realization is this: we’ve only just begun.

If the commitment, collaboration, and vision we’ve seen here continue, the Global Property Expo in Singapore will not just grow. It will evolve into a world-class platform for innovation, investment, and international property leadership.

And I, Paulo Lopes, will be proudly here to witness, and support it every step of the way.

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Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.