The organizers of The District yesterday exhibited their harmony with the new team of the Barcelona City Council government and reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the show in the city, despite the attacks that some participants suffered again this year.
Juan Velayos, the president of The District, pointed out that “it is unacceptable that paint can be thrown at people, in front of the Mossos, without them intervening,” when these violent acts were carried out by “six or seven people.” “Protesting is a right, but we understand that throwing paint is an attack. Those who did it were equipped with plastic capes, masks and protective glasses, but they released a substance that could be toxic to people, some older, who were not wearing any protection and who could have suffered damage to their eyes or from inhalation,” said Albert. Planas, general director of Nebext, the company that organizes the event. Planas demanded more forceful police intervention to prevent new attacks.
However, both were grateful for the institutional support they have received from the city council, and especially from the new mayor, Jaume Collboni, who participated in a lunch in the hall with more than 200 businessmen and financiers.
Planas pointed out that The District has exceeded the expectations of its organizers: they initially expected 8,000 attendees and there were finally 10,467 from more than 34 countries, with more than 274 exhibitors. “International professionals love coming to Barcelona,” said Velayos, who explained that representatives of pension funds, investment funds and also sovereign funds have attended, thanks to the promotional efforts in London and France carried out by the organization.
Velayos explained, as a summary of the congress, that professionals have confirmed that the sector has resisted despite the rise in interest rates, although operations have been greatly reduced. “There is still uncertainty about the macroeconomic situation, and we still don’t know if interest rates have peaked, and that slows down the market,” he reasoned. But the feeling is that we are reaching the ceiling and when inflation is controlled and we have clear rules again, investment will return.”
Velayos assured that, despite the rate increase, “the market is not going to collapse,” and real estate prices are not going to sink because in many sectors there is a lack of supply, such as residential, or buildings capable of housing health centers. data or even logistical use. Furthermore, he pointed out, unlike what happened during the great financial and real estate crisis of 2008, “now the debt is not excessive.” Still, he noted, “many investors will need to undertake financial restructuring, because the cash flows generated by their properties can no longer cover the cost of the debt they have assumed.”
