Policy-makers face the harsh dilemma of having to mitigate an economic slowdown and revenue shortfalls, in addition to a rapidly growing infection rate. The biggest challenge for the next couple of months will be to determine how long lockdown measures should be kept in place.

Property Forum’s first virtual event will bring together influential investors, bankers and advisors to analyse the potential short- and long-term impacts of the coronavirus crisis on property investments in the CEE region.

Throughout the region, CTP is offering clients the opportunity to lease warehouse space for short terms. This measure comes in response to the concerns being raised by the COVID-19 situation regarding the stability of the retail supply chain.

NEPI Rockcastle provided an initial update concerning the impact of the COVID-19 related government measures on its activities in an announcement dated 17 March 2020. Since that date, the authorities in Romania, Serbia and Croatia have increased the safety measures to contain the spreading of COVID-19. New measures include temporarily limiting the operations of some of its shopping centres’ tenants.

NEPI Rockcastle is donating €150,000 to the International Red Cross Organization aimed for supporting the efforts of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The amount of money will be distributed according to the current medical needs and will be used for the purchase of disinfectant substances or items vital in slowing the spread of the virus. Public awareness campaigns will also be supported.

Although the coronavirus pandemic has the world (and the property sector) facing an unprecedented challenge, one positive consequence seems to be certain – it is going to accelerate the adaptation of technology. Property Forum asked three people in proptech to share their thoughts on how COVID-19 is going to impact the way we work and connect to each other.

Colliers International has launched a microsite to provide insight and recommendations for business during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Hungary-based developers Futureal Group and Cordia have decided to donate €700,000 (HUF 250 million) to the fight against COVID-19. The directors of the company will decide on the usage of the funds shortly,

With the acquisition of another 10.4 percent stake, Wing's stake in Echo Investment has increased to 66 percent, the Hungarian investor-developer announced.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause multiple disruptions to the world’s industries and economies and this is also true for many CEE currencies. Those countries that have not adopted the Euro, or are not pegged to it, have each seen a ca. 10% depreciation in currency value during the period February to March 2020. The Romanian Leu is the exception which has depreciated just 1%, largely due to central bank intervention, Colliers reports in its CEE Special Insights Series.