Columbia Business School Dean Glenn Hubbard to Speak at Executive Education Seminar on Real Estate and Securitization in Asia

Columbia Business School Dean Glenn Hubbard to Speak at Executive Education Seminar on Real Estate and Securitization in Asia

February 17, 2006

Event Co-hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

    NEW YORK, Feb. 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Columbia
Business School today announced it will present a special
Executive Education seminar on Real Estate and
Securitization in Asia on Monday, March 6, 2006, 2:30 -
7:30 PM at the JW Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong.  The seminar
is co-hosted by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
(HKGCC). 

    R. Glenn Hubbard, Dean of Columbia Business School and
the Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics,
will open the one-day presentation with an overview of the
global economic outlook including a perspective on interest
rates and the real estate market.

    "Real estate has played an integral role in
shaping the U.S. and global economies, and it will continue
to do so in the emerging markets throughout Asia," says
Dean Hubbard. "Columbia Business School is dedicated to
leading a worldwide information exchange among business
leaders, linking academic thought leadership and the
marketplace. This real estate seminar is another example of
the global breadth of our executive education programs and
commitment to sharing our expertise with the international
business community." 

    Chris Mayer, the Paul Milstein Professor of Real Estate
and Director of the Milstein Center for Real Estate,
Columbia Business School, will speak on REITs (Real Estate
Investment Trusts) focusing on lessons learned in the U.S.
REIT markets and what can be applied to Asian markets as
they expand REITs and real estate debt securitization.

    Professor Mayer will also lead a panel discussion on
real estate markets in Hong Kong, China and Singapore,
looking at market trends and the outlook for REITs in Asia.


    Participants on the panel include: 

    * Mr. Pua Seck Guan, CEO, CapitaMall Trust Management
Ltd.

    * Mr. Victor So, CEO, The Link REIT 

    * Mr. Zain Fancy, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley
Real Estate, Asia 
      Pacific

    "Sophisticated investment instruments such as
REITs and securitized debt, commonplace around the world,
are having an increasing influence on real estate practices
and the marketplace," says Professor Mayer, a
recognized expert in real estate. "Our panelists will
provide insight into the rapidly developing Asian real
estate market, including REITs, and discuss what can be
learned from the growth of public real estate markets in
the U.S."

    Dr. Eden Woon, CEO of the Hong Kong General Chamber of
Commerce notes, "We are proud to join with Columbia
Business School in presenting this forum to our membership
and other interested individuals. With real estate an
integral part of the Hong Kong and Asian economies, this
seminar presents a remarkable opportunity for anyone
interested in real estate in Asia."

    To attend the Seminar, please contact Sandy So of the
HKGCC by fax: [phone], telephone: [phone]
or email: [e-mail] .
 
    About REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)

    A REIT is a company that invests in real estate
directly, either through properties or mortgaged
securities. REIT shares are traded on the major exchanges
and often feature high dividend payouts. Equity REITS
invest in and own properties (thus responsible for the
equity or value of their real estate assets). Their
revenues come principally from their properties' rents.
Mortgage REITs deal in investment and ownership of property
mortgages. These REITs loan money for mortgages to owners of
real estate, or invest in (purchase) existing mortgages or
mortgage backed securities. Their revenues are generated
primarily by the interest that they earn on the mortgage
loans. Individuals can either invest in REITs by purchasing
their shares directly or by investing in a mutual fund that
specializes in public real estate.

    About Columbia Business School Executive Education

    Consistently top-ranked in executive education,
Columbia Business School Executive Education offers
programs that deliver a global perspective on the latest
theories and trends driving business around the world.
Among the executive education offerings are open enrollment
programs for individuals and customized programs to meet
specific corporate goals.  Columbia Executive Education is
located on the Columbia University campus in New York
City.

    To cover the Seminar, for more information, or to speak
with Dean Hubbard or Professor Mayer, please contact Davia
Temin or Jane Trombley of Temin and Company at 212-588-8788
or [e-mail] .

    For more information, please contact:

     Davia Temin or Jane Trombley 
     Temin and Company 
     Tel:    [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail]

SOURCE  Columbia Business School