Alinso Group has been present in Romania since 2008, just before the economic crisis, and its investment model has inspired many other foreign investors, who in the difficult period that followed (2009-2011) did not hesitate to come and invest in different places in Romania, like PWP Bucharest North, the largest private industrial and logistics park in South-East Europe, an investment that will reach EUR 1 billion when it will be complete, said Ivan Lokere, the CEO of Alinso Group, at the 18th edition of Business Review’s REALTY Forum.

“We came to Romania in 2008 to develop a business park and afterwards office buildings. Romania is a growing market and offers a lot of opportunities.

We expect interest rates to remain at low levels for a longer period of time and we consider them to be “the new normal.” Furthermore, we see a growing appetite for real estate as an investment class. It is, in a context of volatile stock markets and business models of industries becoming shorter due to digitization, one of the few remaining asset classes with stable long term income. We see continuing economic convergence throughout Europe, which for South East Europe, and Romania in particular, will result in a further yield compaction close to the levels of Western and Central Europe.

Infrastructure is the key to attracting businesses and demand for residential dwellings. When I am talking about infrastructure, I do not only refer to roads and railway infrastructure, but also to schools and hospitals. The latter are determining factors when people choose where to live.

There is a clear entrepreneurial spirit in Bucharest, which will not only result in increasing demand for business space but also in high quality dwellings and logistic buildings.”

Asked about the crisis that many are predicting, Ivan Lokere said: “Romania has learned its lesson and it is a lot better prepared for what will come in case of a crisis. I do not see a crisis, and it is typical for a crisis it pops up where you don t expect it.  I see a great potential for Romania, indeed Romania has challenges like all countries do.  But we must highlight the opportunities the Romania has. And they are big and real!”

Source: Business Review, Aurel Dragan 15/05/2019