CEE is transforming from Europe's periphery into a defence industry powerhouse, according to a new KPMG study. The region's combination of cost efficiency, industrial capacity, and strategic location is attracting investment as European defence spending increases.
MLP Group achieved 186% year-on-year record growth in contract values during Q1 2026 while significantly expanding its leased space.
Romania emerged as the most dynamic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), recording 9% growth in transaction numbers during 2025.
Real estate investor GTC has leased over 150,000 sqm of commercial space in 2025 across 30 office complexes and six shopping centres in CEE.
The modern office stock in Romania's main regional cities totals approximately 1.08 million sqm, with developers delivering no new projects in these markets over the past two years, according to a new report by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox.
Construction costs and plot acquisition have become the primary concerns for real estate developers in Central Europe in 2026, affecting 27% and 25% of companies respectively, according to a Deloitte report.
MLP Group reported in 2025 revenues of €99.2 million (+15% year-on-year) and net profit of €108.3 million (+25% year-on-year), while achieving a record 370,941 sqm of new and renewed lease agreements.
Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania could raise labour productivity by up to 10 to 15% through wider adoption of digital technologies, particularly software and AI-enabled tools, according to a report by World Bank Group.
Commercial property investment in CEE rebounded strongly in 2025, with a combined volume of €11.3 billion across Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. This represents a 34% year-on-year increase and stands 24% above the five-year average, according to data by Knight Frank.
The Middle East conflict is driving up energy prices and pushing inflation higher across CEE. Oil and gas shocks hit import-dependent economies hardest, forcing central banks to postpone planned rate cuts as markets turn risk-off, according to an analysis by ING Bank.
NEPI Rockcastle, the largest owner of shopping centres in CEE, said its net operating income rose 11.2% year-on-year to a record €618 million in 2025, while the distributable earnings increased 6.7% to €441 million.
In a video interview recorded at CEE Property Forum 2025 in Vienna, Marek Noetzel, COO of NEPI Rockcastle and incoming CEO from April 2026, shares his outlook on retail trade across the region, the company's growth strategy and his priorities for the next phase of leadership.
CEE property investment reached a turning point in 2025, with transaction volumes across the region's six main markets totalling €11.6 billion, representing 31% annual growth according to Colliers' latest analysis.
SafeFleet, one of Romania's largest fleet monitoring companies, closed 2025 with 15% revenue growth compared to the previous year.
CEE is entering an uneven economic recovery against a backdrop of inflationary pressures, with Romania remaining under pressure from inflation...
MLP Group has completed a €350 million green bond issuance with a 5-year maturity and fixed coupon of 4.75%, in an offering attracted strong demand and was oversubscribed.
Central Europe's commercial real estate sector is experiencing a transformation, with Hungary leading the recovery through an 86% year-on-year increase in investment driven by Asian capital from China and South Korea. The CATL factory in Debrecen and BYD in Szeged, along with the planned Volvo plant in Košice, Slovakia, are reshaping the region's industrial landscape and creating demand for logistics space.
Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia have recorded an 18% increase in banking assets between 2021 and 2024.
Lululemon announced plans to expand into six new markets in 2026 through franchise partnerships. The athletic apparel brand will launch in Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Romania through a partnership with Arion Retail Group, as well as in India through Tata CLiQ.
Nepi Rockcastle has appointed Marius Barbu as COO, effective from April 2026, to succeed Marek Noetzel, current COO and CEO-designate. He has also been nominated as a Board Director and will stand for election at the next AGM in May 2026.
Banca Transilvania Group has entered the exchange-traded fund market by launching the BT Index Romania ETF BET-TR, managed by BT Asset Management.
Digi Communications continues to explore strategic options for its Spanish operations, including a potential initial public offering (IPO) of its subsidiary Digi Spain Telecom.
Romania's annual inflation rate will increase and remain at higher levels than previously forecast during March-June 2026, according to the minutes from the National Bank of Romania's monetary policy meeting held in early April.
Millennials aged between 30 and 45 contracted almost two-thirds of mortgage loans processed by Ipotecare.ro in 2025, according to an analysis based on over 1,000 intermediated financings and over 27,000 simulations.
Rețele Electrice Romania, part of the PPC group, has launched a tender worth up to RON 59 million (€12 million) for secondary stations in precast concrete enclosures. The equipment will be used in investment projects between 2026 and 2030.