Across CEE, the strongest investment stories are often found in markets that remain relatively small. Before Warsaw became one of Europe's largest logistics hubs or western Romania emerged as a manufacturing powerhouse, both were characterised by the same combination of improving infrastructure, competitive costs and limited modern stock. Today, a similar conversation is beginning to take shape around Iași.
Every region with international ambitions eventually reaches the same point. Competitive labour costs, strategic location and investment incentives may succeed in attracting attention, but sustaining long-term growth requires something more. Investors need access to decision-makers, businesses need reliable public-sector partners and local authorities need a platform where regional opportunities can be presented to an international audience.
North East Romania has long been recognised as one of the country's manufacturing centres, but reducing the region's investment story to factories and production lines no longer tells the full picture. Over the past decade, a broader economic ecosystem has begun to emerge, one that combines advanced manufacturing with technology, research, healthcare, logistics and a rapidly evolving business services sector. It is this diversification that is increasingly attracting the attention of investors and will be one of the key themes explored at the inaugural edition of EastGate this September.
Romania continues to gain visibility on the European industrial and logistics investment map, at a time when companies are looking for competitive markets for manufacturing, warehousing and distribution. Two-thirds of the European regions with the strongest profile for manufacturing activities are located in just four countries – Poland, Spain, Romania and France – according to the report "ExCEEding Borders: CEE & Iberia: Driving Europe's Industrial Transformation", published by Colliers.
When international investors discuss Romania, the conversation often begins with Bucharest and increasingly includes cities such as Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Brașov. Yet one of the country's most compelling growth stories is unfolding further east.
The workplace is being redefined by far more than hybrid working. As businesses adapt to AI, changing employee expectations and growing ESG ambitions, the office is evolving into a strategic tool for attracting talent, strengthening culture and improving performance. These themes were at the centre of the workplace panel at Bucharest Business Forum 2026, where experts agreed that successful workplaces are no longer measured by efficiency alone, but by the experience they create for employees.
For decades, investment activity in Central and Eastern Europe has been concentrated around a handful of established markets and capital cities. Yet some of the most significant economic shifts taking place today are happening further east, along a corridor connecting Romania, Moldova and Ukraine.
AI is creating two distinct directions in the global labour market, according to PwC research, based on an analysis of over one billion job listings across six continents.
At Bucharest Business Forum 2026, the closing panel brought together senior executives from residential, logistics, and asset management to explore how Romania can unlock its next phase of growth. Moderated by Ana Dumitrache, CEO, Olympian Parks, the discussion ranged from unlearning old market reflexes and rethinking “location,” to the disruptive impact of AI and the structural gaps still holding Romania back versus peers like Poland. Despite working in different segments, the speakers converged on a few core themes: long‑term value over short‑term volume, community and quality over simple density, and disciplined governance as the missing ingredient for Romania's full potential.
Property Forum is proud to present the sixth edition of its annual publication recognising the 50 most influential people shaping Romania's real estate market. Over the years, this ranking has become a reflection of an industry that continues to grow in scale, sophistication and international relevance. The publication, together with all other regional editions, is now available on the Property Forum website.
European investors continue to lead commercial real estate investment across the continent, accounting for 48% of activity in Q1 2026, according to BNP Paribas Real Estate data. American investors follow with 31%, while Asia Pacific investors represent just 7% and Middle Eastern investors 2%.
Leasing transactions for modern office space in Bucharest increased by 14% in Q1 2026 compared to the same period last year, while new demand rose by 24%. However, the market remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to Colliers data.
Industrial developer CTP recorded gross rental income of €205.1 million in Q1-2026, up 12.3% year-on-year with like-for-like rental growth of 4.6%. The company's annualised rental income increased to €849.3 million by the end of March 2026.
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.
Romania's residential construction sector recorded a 3.1% contraction in 2025 compared to the previous year. The total number of completed dwellings reached 59,062, marking a decrease of 1,916 units from the 60,978 reported in 2024, according to provisional data provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
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.
Romania's green certification market remained active in 2025, with over 4.6 million sqm of real estate space receiving sustainability credentials despite European changes to reporting obligations.
Belgian developer Atenor has sold its @Expo office building in Bucharest to a private real estate investment firm. The 57,666 sqm office building was delivered in 2023 and is currently 29% leased.
Bucharest is consolidating its position within the Central and Eastern European (CEE) real estate market, combining rental growth across major asset classes with investment yields that remain well above Western European levels, according to the DNA of Real Estate Europe Q2 2026 report published by Cushman & Wakefield. Across Europe in Q2 2026, prime office rents rose 4.5% year-on-year, retail rents increased 3.0%, and logistics rents grew 2.4%, while investors remained selective as yield movements pointed to a more balanced market following the repricing cycle of recent years.
Energy company Electrica informs investors and the capital market that it has obtained the technical grid connection permits (ATR) for 17 new battery energy storage projects (BESS), with a total capacity of approximately 700 MWh.
The European Retail Banking Radar, Kearney's latest study now in its 18th edition, shows that Europe is entering a period of normalisation following the conditions of 2023–2025. For Romania, the challenge extends beyond the normalisation of interest rates.
Romania's national electricity transmission network operator, Transelectrica, has halted scheduled maintenance shutdowns to ensure the grid operates at maximum capacity during an ongoing extreme heatwave. The preventive measures aim to mitigate operational risks associated with severe weather conditions.
Digi Spain has announced its intention to launch an initial public offering (IPO) on the Spanish stock exchanges, aiming to raise approximately €150 million.
