Biography - Liakat Dhanji

Mr. Dhanji has been active in the development, management and finance of real estate since 1985. A native of Vancouver, Canada, Mr.Dhanji received a bachelor's degree in business from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.

Mr. Dhanji has spent 30 years in business, with the last 20 years primarily devoted to real estate development, project marketing and property investment consultancy. His experience in international real estate both as a developer and investor gives him an unique perspective and understanding of his clients needs.

CEO — Goldenland Property Development Plc. 1998-2005
From 1998 to 2005, Mr. Dhanji was the CEO of Goldenland Property Development PLC — one of Thailand's largest property development companies specializing in construction developments, sales and marketing of high end luxury master planned housing communities, high rise condominiums and hotels and resorts throughout Thailand. He guided its growth and development over a 7-year period, transforming it initially from bankrupt and dept ridden company to completely restructuring it with a new management team to turn it into one of Thailand's most successful and respected companies today. Mr. Dhanji was instrumental in the company's turnaround by focusing on the highest and best use of the company's real estate assets; managing land use policies and growth management plans; joint use development planning for its hotel, resorts and high rise investments in the CBD district with partners such as The Ascott Group and the Mariott International.

Under his leadership, Mr. Dhanji developed a highly prized portfolio of property developments in the Greater Bangkok District and resort projects in Thailand that was both innovative in design and profitable, with continuous sold out projects. In the housing division, he launched over 8 master planned housing communities and in Downtown Bangkok he developed and sold over 400 condominiums in a 2 year period, launched the Mayfair Marriott Executive Residences and The Ascott Sathorn Executive Residences which subsequently became the top two executive residential buildings in Bangkok and South East Asia, and commenced with future developments being planned for a 5 star Resort in Krabi with an international hotelier and also created the most acclaimed downtown site with One Sathorn Square — a downtown masterplanned community complete with 2 hotels, 6 star private residences, retail, office and a historic building masterfully restored into a world class boutique hotel and spa.

Chairman & CEO, Pacific Shore Property 1995-1998
Chairman & CEO, Grand Vacations Ltd. 1995-1998
In 1995, Mr. Dhanji left VIGERS to pursue his own interests in property development and subsequent formed Pacific Shore Properties Ltd & Pacific Shore Property Consultants Ltd. where he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. His company focused on developments around the world and advising on real estate investment strategies. He was also an advisor to many companies and was actively involved in project marketing strategic planning for the real estate market and financial feasibility analyses for residential, retail, office and hotel facilities; economic development strategies and techniques; urban revitalization and redevelopment program involving the application of a wide array of implementation and financing techniques, and site location and acquisition strategies. The triple combination of his background and education with his knowledge of property cycles and regional expertise and his contact base in Asia provided him with an unique edge in all aspects of property market in Asia for both private and public entities that he represented.

President, Vigers Realty Ltd. 1989-1995
Liakat Dhanji began his real estate development portfolio of high rises and masterplanned communities in Vancouver, Canada and was involved in all phase of development from land acquisition, financing, project management, marketing and sales. He subsequently purchased and became the Owner and President of the Vigers Realty Canadian operations and had a staff of 80 professionals in Western Canada from 1989-1995. In the 1990s he started marketing Canadian project in Hong Kong and was, subsequently, asked by VIGERS Hong Kong to move there to head their international marketing operations as the Managing Director of Vigers International (HK) Ltd. During his tenure with VIGERS he sold over US$ 1 Billion in properties. The Canadian and US projects were so successful that the company branched out to selling projects in London, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, and Vietnam.