The COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted supply chains with China and these are now gradually being restored.  However, the epicentre of the pandemic has shifted to Europe, which has brought challenges for producers and distributors. The logistics sector is striving to maintain liquidity. All truck drivers – regardless of nationality – are exempt from the 14-day quarantine required on entry to Poland. Similar exemptions have been introduced by other EU member states. Fast-track lanes have been created for freight trucks across the EU. It’s all in an attempt to minimalize supply chain disruptions, Axi Immo writes in its report.

Oliver Schumy, the CEO of Immofinanz AG, is leaving the Company as member of the Executive Board on 18 March 2020. The premature termination is based on mutual agreement due to personal reasons. As of 19 March 2020, the Executive Board of the Company is thus composed of the members Dietmar Reindl and Stefan Schönauer, who will continue all agendas.

South African investor Tower has entered into an agreement to sell the Vukovarska retail property in Zagreb, Croatia at an 11% premium to its book value.

CPI Property Group offered the Czech government the entire capacity of the 14 hotels operated by CPI Hotels in the event that the government requires extra space for patients. The offer includes approximately 5,000 beds in 2,490 rooms and conference space that can normally accommodate almost 10,000 guests in total.

The global impact of the coronavirus outbreak is currently the main concern of everyone in the logistics sector. In response, real estate consulting firm Colliers International decided to conduct a flash poll asking industry participants (primarily transport/logistics companies, retailers, manufacturing companies, property developers, investors) in Germany about their perspective.

Globalworth announced changes to the Company's Board of Directors and an update regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. Ioannis Papalekas, the Founder, is stepping down from the Board of Directors of Globalworth but will remain as CEO. Dimitris Raptis, the current Chief Investment Officer and Deputy CEO, has been appointed co-CEO.

Climate change has become a reality and real estate is one of the key economic sectors in this. Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions in the EU. So far, the industry has concentrated its effort, although still much limited, on the construction and management of buildings, which could be quantifiable in the green-certified prime office stock. It is therefore critical that the real industry plays its part in reversing the negative trend for the climate and the environment, reveals a new report produced by a team of analysts of EMEA Research & Insight at, Cushman & Wakefield.

Co-living has become a buzzword on the real estate market, but sharing living space, interests and values can benefit not only young people, corporate professionals or students. Cushman & Wakefield’s latest insight report “Co-living – a new era for the real estate investment market in Poland” explores senior housing. Forecasts by the Polish Central Statistical Office (GUS) indicate that by 2050 the number of Polish people aged 60 and over will have risen by approximately 52%. Co-living therefore represents both an opportunity for retirees to enjoy a new lifestyle and a trend that has a strong growth potential.

In line with Goodman's strategy to focus its portfolio on gateway cities and major urban consumer markets in Continental Europe, the Goodman European Partnership and Goodman Group have signed an agreement for the sale of assets in Central and Eastern Europe for approximately €1 billion to global investment manager GLP. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, includes properties located in Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

A new peak in total transaction volumes of €13.9 billion was reached last year across the CEE region. Including Austria and Serbia, the volume is even greater: €20.19 billion, according to CBRE’s latest research.