A LEADING international property developer is making a fact-finding visit to the North-East in September - and Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to meet him.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon, the man behind the visit, said the much anticipated visit of Dubai economics minister Mohamed Ali Alabbar to Middlesbrough had been postponed until the autumn to allow both men to find time to meet.

"I think it was important the Prime Minister was alerted to the visit and I am very grateful to Mr Blair, who has shown a keen interest in what is going on, not only in Middlesbrough, but the Tees Valley and in the visit of Mohamed Ali Alabbar," he said.

Mr Mallon invited the Arab tycoon to visit the region, while visiting Dubai.

John Burton, Mr Blair's agent, said: "Mohamed Ali Alabbar developed Dubai. If Ray gets him interested in Teesside, he may be on to a winner. I think we probably would want to meet him."

Mr Alabbar, chairman of Emaar, one of the biggest development companies in the world, is credited with turning his country into the most vibrant lifestyle property market in the Middle East.

During his visit, he will be shown the derelict banks of the River Tees corridor, which need massive funds to drive forward redevelopment plans, and other areas of the Tees Valley.

Mr Mallon said he was grateful to Jonathan Blackie, regional director of the Government Office for the North-East, and Alan Brown, its regional crime director, for their support and encouragement.

Mr Mallon said: "His Excellency Mohammed Ali Alabbar is a very important player in the development industry. I am hoping he is going to develop in Middlesbrough, the Tees Valley and the North-East."