While global investments into the real estate markets showed signs of regression in the first quarter of 2008, the investments into the Southeast Europe is booming, with the interest of the investor shifting towards the South of the region, and with the investment volume reaching €3 billion in the first three months of 2008.

With their rapidly improving economies, and more stabilised political environment, these countries are asserting themselves as one of the hottest investment spots, with rising popularity and immense potential for Real Estate development. Following the recent EU accession, Romania and Bulgaria, are already benefiting from fast-growing foreign investment, boosting their economy, employment levels, and the growth of their property markets.

Throughout 2007, the return on property investment was among the highest in Europe, and the average rental yield for a property in Romania is an impressive 8.9%. In addition, Romania is developing into an entirely free market economy creating greater demand for property thus causing upward pressure on prices. Analysts predict that Bucharest is to become the number one city in which to make money from property as property prices are rising quickly but remain cheap by Western standards.

Building on the tremendous success of the past CEE Real Estate forums, EastEuro Link is launching the Southeast Europe Real Estate event dedicated to highlighting the opportunities in the emerging real estate markets of this region.

The programme covers the complete spectrum of issues that relate to the industry dynamics, and the areas examined will all have a direct correlation with the bottom-line.

Our panel of expert speakers will be examining in detail key real estate market drivers around the Southeast European region. Featuring international keynotes and leading experts addressing the most topical and strategic issues, the forum will include extensive presentations and in-depth analysis of some of the key issues facing the industry today.

Gain insights into the vital issues:

• Legal overview and tax regulations of the often complex process of purchasing real estate in Southeast Europe
• Will the evolvement of a credit crunch crisis and diminution of global liquidity impede real estate transactions in Southeast Europe?
• Forecasting hotspots for investment: Where to invest and what to avoid?
• Equity buyers: Are German open-ended funds – becoming more dominant purchasers?
• Property development vs acquisition: Where is the increased interest and where are the higher perceived returns?
• Structuring superior asset management and risk-reward strategies for increasing revenue potential

• Public to private deals: Players, drivers and strategies
• Where are the opportunities in the booming residential markets?
• The investment potential of the rising office market sector
• The emerging Retail Market as an investment asset
• Acquisition of attractive Land plots, Industrial and Warehouse estates
• Identifying realistic returns and profit expectations in Leisure and Entertainment Property Market: Hotels, Sea, Mountain Resorts, Golf & Spa

• Romania and Bulgaria as the front-runner in terms of foreign investment
• The untapped investment opportunities in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia – How do they compare?
• Turkey: Where are the opportunities beyond retail?
• Hungary: What are the most attractive sectors and where is the greatest investment potential?
• Assessing the property development and investment climate in Ukraine
• Concerns of investors in Albania, focusing on real estate and tourism
• Serbia: an outlook of the growing real estate market with an increasing interest from foreign investors and developers

You will benefit from additional networking opportunities including:

• Extended networking breaks for exhibition viewing
• Gala evening drinks reception