The Karnataka Ownership Apartments Promoters Association (KOAPA) has decided to promote regional associations in major towns and cities of the State, to locally address the issues pertaining to real estate development.

Speaking to reporters after inauguration of ‘Realty Expo’ in Bangalore on Saturday, KOAPA President A Balakrishna Hegde said that soon Mysore, Mangalore, Udupi, Hubli-Dharwad and Belgaum will have city units, which will be affiliated to KOAPA.

“There has been a tremendous growth in construction activities in these cities. The City units will take care of local issues with the local government agencies to ensure smoother function of the activity,” he said.

The bi-annual KOAPA Realty Expo 2007, being held at Hotel Ashoka, Kumara Krupa Road, is on till December 9. And, entrance fee is Rs 45. The event is witnessing participation from over 42 property developers and five housing finance institutions. Admitting that the real estate market in the first part of 2007 was sluggish in Bangalore, Hegde said during the last three months, the business had witnessed uptrend to the tune of eight per cent.  “We are expecting better growth in the next five years, as over 19 lakh jobs are being created in retail sector, during that period,” he said.