Nicolae Ciobanu, Managing Partner – Head of Advisory at Fortim Trusted Advisors, talked to Property Forum about the firm’s growth in office leasing and land transactions, as well as the outlook on rents and the role of the defense sector in boosting industrial demand going forward.

Elena Oancea, Co-CEO of Goldbach Group, talked to Property Forum about the group’s ongoing developments in the retail parks niche, the focus on sustainability in its construction and interior design divisions and its pipeline of photovoltaic projects in Romania.

Romania is increasingly establishing itself as a key industrial hub within CEE driven by a confluence of factors including production relocation, burgeoning investments in logistics, and a heightened focus on ESG standards, finds a Colliers report.

German residential investors are increasingly turning to foreign markets, with Poland emerging as a particularly attractive destination. High construction costs, long approval processes, and regulatory uncertainty in Germany are pushing investors to look abroad. In countries like Poland and the USA, planning and permitting procedures can take just a few months, compared to years in Germany. Trei Real Estate, for example, has shifted its focus to Polish cities such as Poznań and to fast-growing areas in the southeastern United States to take advantage of clearer and faster approval systems. Rueckerconsult GmbH summarised the trend in a recent press release.

Industrial rents in Romania remain among the lowest in the EMEA, despite a significant 15% increase since 2019, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. 

George Gardin, Country Manager for Romania at Yellow Tree Group, spoke with Property Forum about the group's first pilot development in Romania, Aria Shopping Center, and the investment vision for the local market going forward, with a focus on diversification into hospitality and in-city logistics. 

The hotel market in Prague and the entire Central and Eastern European region is experiencing a recovery exceeding initial expert expectations, according to the CBRE analysis. International overnight stays in Prague are at 95% of their 2019 level.

Romania is increasingly attracting international investors due to its competitive technological capabilities and a conducive ecosystem for AI development, finds a new CBRE report.

Futureal Group’s energy division has entered international markets under the newly established brand Futureal Energy Partners. The move marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to broaden its presence in renewable energy investment and electricity trading across Europe.

Office markets in Central and Eastern Europe are continuing to evolve in response to changing occupier expectations, economic pressures, and ESG standards, according to Colliers' latest report covering Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.