During a geopolitically turbulent period, the core capital is usually focusing on the domestic market. However, CEE investors do not hesitate to seek opportunities in neighbouring markets, bearing in mind the importance of diversification and the need for strategic partnerships to manage risks and maximise returns. These strategies and challenges have been discussed at Bratislava Property Forum 2025 in the panel focused on commercial real estate, chaired by Rudolf Nemec MRICS, Partner & Head of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield Slovakia.
Rudolf Nemec opened the discussion by asking about the influence of geopolitical risks on investment strategies and decision-making.
Martin Polák, Managing Director CEE, GARBE Industrial Real Estate, explained how core capital tends to invest in home markets during times of geopolitical turbulence giving an example of German investors, and noted that core investors in the CEE region look for discounted opportunities in other countries.
Martin Šmigura, Local Partner, WOOD & Company, added that local professional investors were also looking outside Slovakia due to political measures and geopolitical instability: „We work mostly with the local professional investors, and we don't feel that they consider Slovakia now as an investment target for them. They're looking much more into investment opportunities outside of Slovakia, whether it's the Czech Republic or further west.“
