It will showcase real estate opportunities in both the UAE capital and around the region, and is held under the patronage of Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

As the realty show's website proclaims: 'With the easing of the regulations on land and property ownership as well as the launch of mega-tourism, residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, the emirate of Abu Dhabi has emerged as one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the region.'

The online brochure highlights 22 projects in Abu Dhabi, with a total value in excess of $100bn - ranging from the first to be delivered last year at the Al Raha Gardens by Aldar Properties to the Sadiyaat Island with a 2018 completion date and $30bn price-tag.

Off-plan sales

For most individual buyers the main focus will be on opportunities for off-plan apartment purchases in the prime developments. This selling really began to take off in the middle of last year and some early buyers are already boasting 25 per cent capital appreciation.

The eyes of the UAE capital are now watching to see if this is a repeat of the Dubai off-plan selling experience with a high volume of buyers driving up prices from initial levels. It is early days yet in Abu Dhabi.

The absence of freehold title for foreigners in favour of a 99-year leasehold tenure has put off a few potential buyers, particularly GCC nationals. But many residents have been less concerned, correctly reasoning that leasehold is a perfectly adequate tenure in many major apartment markets of the world, for example London and Hong Kong.

But the biggest argument for end-users is the simple matter of replacing high local rent payments with a mortgage so that an asset is acquired over time rather than money spent and never seen again.

Cheap property

Prices can seem high to those not acquainted with price levels in other comparable global capital cities. But a number of studies have shown that Abu Dhabi house prices are at the very lowest end of the scale for cities with a similar per capita income level.

On the other hand, local residents may be less troubled by the peculiarities of the Abu Dhabi market, such as its ponderous bureaucracy and old fashioned utility payment systems. These factors may worry foreign buyers more, along with the promised delivery dates.

It may well be that Abu Dhabi developers are just being cautious after seeing the construction delays in Dubai but people who sign up to buy a property at this week's show will have to be patient. There will not be any apartments finished until next year at the earliest.