Welcome Address by Costel Alexe | EastGate 2026 Forum
Costel Alexe delivers the opening welcome at the EastGate 2026 Forum in Iai, Romania, setting the context for a day focused on investment, regional development and the growing economic links between Romania, Moldova and Ukraine.
His remarks highlight the importance of North-East Romania within the wider regional growth corridor, the need for stronger infrastructure and connectivity, and the opportunities that can emerge from cross-border cooperation, investment and Ukraines future reconstruction.
Costel Alexe
President, Iai County Council
Recorded at the EastGate 2026 Forum, organised by Property Forum in Iai, Romania.
EastGate brings together investors, public authorities, business leaders and institutions to discuss the projects, partnerships and investment opportunities shaping the future of North-East Romania and the wider region.
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.
