REBEC 2012, Serbia and the Southeast Europe region

This year in the period from 18-20. Of June REBEC which celebrates its first anniversary will be held . This is the fifth year in the roll and this year in Serbia in many ways may go down in history.

Serbia has finally won the status of candidate for EU membership and by the end of the year  we can expect announcement of the date for starting negotiations. Also as in the year 2008. this year is the year of elections in Serbia at all levels. At the same time presidential, parliamentary and local elections will be organized.

In the past four years, Serbia has gone through many challenges. On the economic policy during this period there were many influences. During this period, Serbia has amoritised the impact of the global economic crisis and had the highest rate od the development in the whole region.

The development of the real estate market shared fate with the economic development in Serbia. Although in the past year, there are serious indications of increased interest in investment from abroad, the number of projects has not increased. State subsidy programs in the development of housing, was helpful in the beginning of several major projects but  haven’t stabilized that part of the market. Prices are still going down, the offer is high but realisation of transactions is very low.

Regarding the development of office space, rental rates are stable, less than in 2008. , the availability of free space is slowly lifted and the recovery of the price level for rents  is expected. Also interest for office space in the old part of the town has been increased , which further indicates that lease of offices will get much higher.

Retailers confirmed the announcement of the construction of several retail parks in the inside of Serbia. The tenants of these areas show increased interest, they are mostly foreign brands of consumer goods. Announcement of the arrival of several large chains, further stirring up the atmosphere but that does not coincide with increased purchasing sites for development of retail parks. The first outlet in Indjija is opened halfway between Belgrade and Novi Sad, and there is an information that construction of another near Belgrade will start.

 As for the hotel industry the number of new  budget hotels is increased, and the arrival of Marriott, Hilton, Kempinski is announced, but the construction has not started yet. Also, lately there is an information that Sheraton and Starwood have confirmed their arrival. State invested in completion of hotel on Stara Planina, and renovations of existing facilities on Kopaonik show that there is still "free space" for investment in hotels on the  mountains.

Logistics and distribution industry also show signs of increased demand for location around big cities. In surrundings of Belgrade the development of such projects in several phases around 100.000m2 will start.

Because of the above main themes of this year's REBEC will be devoted to developing of retail, hotel industry ,logistics and distribution industry. In the current geographic and economic environment, real estate market in Serbia shows improvement.

On the past REBEC conference several major investment platforms from the region were linked, so this year thanks to them, we expect even better results.