http://www.em-stroy.com News of EM-STROY.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/PROPERTY-FOCUS:-A-dramatic-increase-of-holiday-units-in-Bulgaria/1923.html A dramatic increase in the total number of holiday home units in Bulgaria in the first half of 2007 was reported by Colliers Bulgaria on November 5. Colliers’ latest research showed that in mountain resorts, supply had increased by 52 per cent after almost 10 000 new apartment units were put on the market. Supply in coastal resorts also increased substantially and recorded a 39 per cent growth, or 13 500 apartment units, in the first half of 2007. The total number of holiday homes units as of June 2007 was found to exceed 76 500. In the mountains, growth was most significant in the Bansko area (including Razlog), which accounted for 78 per cent of new supply. On the Black Sea coast, although Slanchev Bryag (Sunny Beach) continued to account for more than a third of supply, other resorts saw accelerated development as well. In Sveti Vlas and in Sozopol, supply of holiday homes increased by 52 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. Overall sales prices in resort apartments remained unchanged for the past half year as supply continued to outpace demand. Price ranges remained within last year’s limits of between 800 euro and 1700 a sq m. According to Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute, the average price of homes in the country rose by 30.6 per cent year on year to 572 euro a sq m in Q3, accelerating from 27.1 per cent year-on-year in Q2 and 22.6 per cent year-on-year in Q1. The data covered prices in the big cities and some of the smaller settlements in the district of Sofia. Home prices in Sofia surged by 42.1 per cent to 976 euro and outpaced again the Black Sea city of Varna which maintained the top position for several quarters. The prices of homes in Varna increased by 30.5 per cent to 898 euro a sq m in Q3 slowing from 35.3 per cent in Q2. The growth rate also weakened in the second largest city, Plovdiv, to 19.4 per cent but accelerated in the Black Sea city of Bourgas to 20.4 per cent against 15.8 per cent in Q2. Atanas Garov, managing director of Colliers Bulgaria, said, “International buyers, predominantly British and Irish, continue to account for most of the demand. Recently we have seen a lot of Russians entering the market, and they look to become major players.” According to Ivan Velkov, general manager of Colliers Bulgaria, “the quality of developments is continuing to increase with an emphasis on professional management offering high quality services and ample amenities to buyers.” In support of Garov’s words came reports posted on UK based website holidaylettings.co.uk. “Sofia and Varna are promising locations for people wishing to invest short- or medium term in real estate,” the website said on October 30. According to another website, propertysecrets.net, there will be changing trends away from the seaside and mountains and especially the cities, and people will prefer to buy more isolated properties. Analyst Simon Tweddle was quoted as saying by Bulgarian news agency BTA that “due to the multitude of foreign investors in the country over the last several years, finances seem to be further ahead in Bulgaria than in neighbouring countries, and are probably the most advanced in the whole region.” Tweddle added: “Sofia is not the most beautiful place, but that the mountains to the South are an advantage”. Source: www.sofiaecho.com/article/property-focus-a-dramatic-increase-of-holiday-units-in-bulgaria/ http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Czech-Wants-to-Invest-in-Bulgarian-Energetic/1918.html Over 680 million EUR are Czech investments in our country for the last year. For the same period the commodity exchange raised with 52%. These calculations were pointed out by Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivailo Kalfin on the opening of the Bulgarian-Czech business forum. Czech Premier Mirek Topolanek also attended the opening of the forum. Tourist stream from Czech for first 8 months of this year are 135 000, which means 26% more than 2006. Kalfin expressed convenience Bulgaria will continue to create optimum good conditions for Czech firms to invest in Bulgaria. Topolanek said Bulgaria and Czech Republic are especially connected in energetic security, which is extremely important for the both countries. Both countries are interested in building of NPP ‘Belene', added Topolanek. Czech businessmen show enormous interest to co-operate in Bulgarian Energetic. Source: http://www.news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/UK-Winlan-to-invest-BGN-184-million-in-Sofia-retail-park/1919.html Britain's Winlan has announced plans to invest BGN 184 million in Bulgaria's first retail park. The project, which Wednesday received a First Class Investor certificate from Bulgaria's investment promotion authority, will be implement by Retail Park Sofia, 85%-owned by Inland Bulgaria Limited, as the online English edition of Dnevnik Daily reported. It has bought 24 ha of land between the capital's Lyulin and Filipovtsi boroughs for EUR 25 million. The location for the retail park, due to open in 2010, was chosen for its proximity to the Lyulin motorway, the Sofia ring road and the general scarcity of such projects in this part of the capital in contrast to its eastern boroughs, said Asen Agov, who owns 5% in Retail Park Sofia. The 77,000 sq m retail park will accommodate several supermarkets as well as furniture, electronics, automobile and apparel hypermarkets. There will be 3,000 parking spaces and a gas station. Cushman&Wakefield will market the lettable space inventory. Rent rates will be significantly lower than those charges by other Sofia malls. The developer will provide 25% of the necessary financing and will borrow the remainder after the property reaches a certain occupancy level. Source: www.journey.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/FairPlay-Properties-to-Issue-10,140-M-New-Shares/1904.html FairPlay Properties decided to increase the company's capital from 50,700 million BGN (25,350 million EUR) to 60,840 million BGN (30,420 million EUR). This will be done by an issue of 10,140 million new shares of 1 BGN nominal value and 2,25 BGN issuing value each, reported from money.bg. The increase will provide shareholders' capital for financing the FairPlay's new local projects for 2008. The projects of the company include holiday complexes in Sozopol, Chernomorets, Bansko, Panichishte and Sandanski. Source: international.ibox.bg/news http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/The-Web-Cams/1899.html The winter sport season is coming and skiers and snowboard from all over start searching for the best place for their winter thrill. The determinative factors, very often are the conditions on the ski slopes and the meteorological conditions in the mountain. That is why the tourists start following the weather forecasts weeks before their vacation. Is there going to be enough snow, are the pistes well maintained, is it going to rain, is it going to be sunny - these are the common questions asked by skiers, decided to take a winter vacation. You can get the answer of these questions right away, by just searching the web. The biggest Bulgarian ski resorts- Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo offer real time information on the conditions on the slopes broadcasted in internet by web cameras installed on the slopes. This is very convenient for those who still hesitate, where to spend their vacation or take a short trip for the weekend. Thus, while you pack your suitcases, you can take a look at VisitBulgaria.NET and choose your dreamed resort. The web cam broadcasting becomes a very popular and beneficial convention in the tourism business. They are also extremely practical and up to date for the Bulgarian Beach resorts. Many comments by users, who took advantage of the information broadcasted by the web cams, can be read in the unique discussion boards of BulgariaSki.com and BeachBulgaria.com. This is definitely the best place to receive objective information on the situation in the resort you head for. This technology has also proved to have huge impact over the success of the advertisers. A simple banner placed on the window of the web camera is an extremely effective way to advertise your business. The message reaches both the particular target group and the wide audience. Advertised shops, restaurants, clubs and hotels, situated in the region, are inevitably noticed by the users. The service is also appropriate for tourist agencies, property companies, transport companies, distributors of sport goods and sport outfit and etc. Obviously the web cams are turning into a useful assistant in the tourism industry. They are not only a good source of information for tourists, but also a very successful marketing moderator. You don’t have to wait for the end of the news program to receive information about the weather conditions. Just click and choose the best site for your vacation. Source: dnes.dir.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Local-Property-Developer-Offers-Assistance-to-UK-Buyers-in-Bulgaria/1887.html Eurosilex, a specialist in residential and mixed use property development in Bulgaria is now offering under market value mortgage rates to clients purchasing Eurosilex properties. Eurosilex's new mortgage assistance programme allows close cooperation with Bulgarian banks, and can provide Bulgarian property buyers with pre-approval within 24 hours. Though not a definite commitment to lend, this does provide clients with a general idea of whether their mortgage application will be successful or not. Buying abroad is riddled with uncertainties; local law, language, tax rates and customs all differ to those of the UK, which adds an extra layer of difficulty when trying to purchase a house abroad. The Eurosilex mortgage assistance programme assists British buyers in securing a mortgage from a Bulgarian bank and negotiating the best mortgage rates. Eurosilex doesn't take any commission on these mortgages, so buyers can be sure of getting impartial mortgage and legal advice. Eurosilex also offers buyers and property owners resale services and help with letting out their property through their rental department. Bulgaria has been touted as a property hotspot by many in the real estate industry. The country's low property prices and varied geography combined with its rapidly developing economy and stable political atmosphere have attracted a huge amount of attention from British buyers. Large property investment opportunities are popping up all over the country, the most notable of which are in and around the Black Sea resorts and in the ski resorts of the Rila mountains. With property in the UK currently at an all time high, but such low property prices in Bulgaria, it's not surprising that many Brits are keen buy. The latest property developments from Eurosilex, such as Eternity, offer buyers the chance to own an apartment overlooking the Kavarna Yacht port in the Black Sea, from as little as ?40,000, and new ski apartments in Bansko can be secured for as little as ?28,500. Source: international.ibox.bg/news http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Shining-Bansko/1884.html The municipality and the citizens of Bansko ski resort will polish the city for the opening of the new winter season in the middle of December. The people from Bansko will clean streets, pavements, green areas from rubbish. This is municipality initiative, which aims to transform Bansko in a cozy place for tourists. The resort won't be in dust and dirt. Local people already used to the idea they should work harder for one more friendly image of the resort, shared Aleksander Kravarov, mayor of the city for second mandate. He promised there won't be any problems and also reminded that the resort expects 1 million tourists for season '07-'08. Source: international.ibox.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Property-developer-in-High-Court/1881.html Michael Lynn, who has investments in Bulgaria, has been brought before the High Court in Ireland on charges that he used clients' money to purchase overseas property and draw down loans. Lynn, practising as Capel Law, is alleged to have taken out multiple mortgages with several Irish banks on several properties. His accounts have been frozen and he has been ordered to disclose a full list of his accounts and assets. His practise has been shut down by the Law Society and Lynn has arranged with his new legal team to have a forensic accountant assist in clarifying his accounts. The liabilities are estimated as at least 26m euros and may be as much as 50m euros. Lynn's barrister told High Court President, Richard Johnson, that he couldn’t say how many properties are involved, the Independent reported, but it is believed to involve more than 100 properties, including some 30 or 40 overseas. In the past he has given away an apartment in Bulgaria as part of a television promotion and has used footballers in Ireland and Portugal to help market his business. Lynn's company Kendar Global Properties recently announced a 75m euro real estate investment near Bansko. Source: www.fly-2let.co.uk http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Opportunities-for-Ski,-Golf,-Spa-and-Balneology-in-the-Region-of-Bansko-and-Razlog/1857.html The southwestern part of Bulgaria in the picturesque region of Razlog valley, at the foot of the Pirin, Rodope and Rila mountains is now being transformed into a unique tourism centre, offering great opportunities for ski, golf, spa tourism and balneology. The climate of Razlog valley, where the picturesque tourism centers Razlog, Bansko, Dobrinishte and Banya are situated, characterizes as moderate with expressive mountain character and slight Mediterranean influence. The settlements in the region have a very good infrastructure, road nets, railway connections, Internet and mobile phone coverage. The seaside resorts on Aegean Sea in Greece are just 140 km away from the region and the connection between the countries will become even easier with the opening of the new international road Simitly – Predela – Razlog – Bansko – Gotse Deltchev. This will increase the tourism flow between the two countries and will create opportunities for the combination of sea and mountain tourism in the region. The exceptional views towards the majestic mountains Pirin, Rodope and Rila, the mineral springs and the excellent conditions for ski tourism transformed the site into attractive place for tourists all year round. This provoked the attention of the investors and for a very short time, the resorts were equipped with luxurious hotels, that attract the attention of world wide famous people like Hristo Stoichkov, Alberto Tomba, Mark Ghirardelli and etc. Major administrative, culture and economy centre of the region is Razlog. The town and its surroundings offer excellent tourism base, as well as very well marked tourism routes in the mountains, which is favorable for the development of mountain tourism. A huge tourism centre in the central part of Razlog is now being developed to satisfy the tourism demand in the region. Excellent conditions for mountain (winter and summer) tourism, as well as balneology tourism are offered in the region. Just two kilometres away from the town, the Katarino site is situated, famous for its mineral springs, with water temperature between 19 – 26 ̊̊ C. A popular hotel complex in the region is Katarino Spa Hotel. The “Kulinoto” site offers excellent conditions for mountain sports and tourism. It is situated just 12 km away from Razlog town and 14 km from Bansko resort. It is lies south of the Predel saddle in the Valley of Kulina River, 1400 m above the sea level, among venerable beech forest. The site offers a 1300 m long ski slope. It is serviced by a “Pomagalski” drag lift, together with a baby drag lift. At the moment the “Ski Zone and Tourism Body Kulinoto - Predel” is being projected. The project should be completed in three years and includes the construction of a ski zone with a total length of the ski slopes almost 60 km, situated at the foot of Dautov peak. The slopes will be serviced by a net of lifts with a total length of 20 km. The planed daily capacity of the resort will be 6 500 skiers. The bed capacity will include 3 000 beds in luxurious complexes and hotels. The golf complex will comprise of a golf course, club building, hotel and shopping complexes. The investment in the project will be 240 million BGN. The resort is planned to operate all year round. During the last several years the neighbouring town of Bansko proved to be the most modern and attractive mountain resort not only in Bulgaria, but on the whole Balkan Peninsula. The resort offers excellent conditions for all winter sports with its 56 km ski slopes and modern equipment for both advanced and beginner skiers. The ski season is guaranteed from December until May, thanks to the 30 snow cannons for artificial snow TechnoAlpin. A second cabin lift is now in process of construction and will service ski zone Bansko. The hotel base in the resort offers a huge capacity, of mainly high class hotels, luxurious apartment complexes and accommodation, which covers all European quality standards. Bansko region is also famous for its mineral springs. Together with the modern spa centres in the resort they offer opportunities for complete relax and recreation. There is no doubt that the best spa centre in the resort is Kempinski Grand Arena. Each of the high class hotel complexes offer different massages and relaxing spa procedures, performed by professionals in the field. During the rest of the year Bansko offers great emotions with diversity of conditions for mountain sports for both amateur and professional mountaineers.  The remarkable Pirin Mountain offers crystal clear lakes, green forests and proudly rising peaks. Bansko itself is extremely attractive, because of its rich historical and cultural inheritance and the numerous monuments and houses in a traditional local architectural style. The most famous balneology mountain resort in the region – Dobrinishte is situated just six kilometres away from the popular resort of Bansko. The town offers 17 mineral springs with temperatures between 30 – 43 ̊ C and several medical institutions with open air mineral pools. Ski complex “Dobrinishte” is a starting position for ski tourism during the winter, with a 5 km long ski slope. The “Bezbog” chalet is the starting position and the final is at “Gotse Delchev” chalet. It is 25 – 30 wide with inclination of 826 m. The ski slope is services by a two seat lift and drag lifts. Plans for the development of the ski zone of the resort are now bei ng prepared. The project of the ski zone in Dobrinishte is being prepared by arch. Emil Lekov, who also directed the construction of the ski zone in Bansko. The project plans the construction of ski slopes and equipment with a total length of 40 km. The accommodation base will be with a capacity for 10 thousand tourists. The project also plans the construction of a luxurious and modern base for spa and wellness procedures. The investment is assessed to reach 200 million BGN. Another interesting mountain and balneology resort, with huge perspectives for the development of the tourism industry in Razlog region is Banya village. The village is just 5 km away from Bansko and Razog resorts. The village and its vicinities offer 70 warm mineral springs with an average temperature of the water of 55 ̊ C, which are absorbed in open air swimming pools and a mineral bath. The village was settled ever since ancient times, which is explained with the exuberance of warm mineral springs in the site. Numerous remains from a Thracian village were found in the region. A sanctuary of God Apollonius existed nearby the central bath. Coins with the portraits of Philip Macedonian and Alexander Macedonian were found during the captivation of the mineral springs. The rich historical past of the village, combined with the natural recourses, the beautiful views towards the mountains Pirin and Rila and the proximity of the famous ski resort Bansko, provoke high tourism and investor interest in the region. Several new luxurious tourism complexes offer high quality spa and wellness procedures and excellent conditions for relax and recreation in the resort. New hotel complexes are also in process of construction, to satisfy the high demand for tourism in the resort. Except for snow sports lovers and tourists searching for spa and wellness procedures, the region is being transformed into an attractive site for golf lovers. Seven projects for the construction if golf courses are being developed in the region. Six of the courses will be situated close to Razlog town, and the seventh – nearby Bansko. The first majour complex is “Pirin Golf Holidays Club”, which will be situated on a total area of 1400 dka in the Betlovoto site. “Balkanstroy” company is investor and executor of the project. The course, projected by the golf legend Ian Usnam will be with 18 wholes and will take an area of 900 dka. Residential buildings, family houses and hotel complexes, with a total number of 700 apartments will be constructed near the golf course. The complex is planned to be completed during the next year and partially has already started operating. The total value of the investments in the hotel part reached 130 million BGN. The complexes will be of five star category with modern spa centre, swimming pool, tennis courses and volleyball playgrounds, as well as a horseback riding base. The site Tsarnako – Betlovoto will host the second project of “Balkanstroy” – “Pirin Golf & Country Club”, also for 130 million BGN. According to the project the complex will be on1000 decares land plot, 780 decares of which will be taken by the golf course. Residential buildings, hotel part and sport- amusement centre. It is planned to be completed after 3 – 4 years. The third golf course, close to Razlog town is “Kulinoto Ski & Golf”, which is being developed together with Razlog municipal and “Balkanstroy”. The investments in it will be 240 million BGN.  Except for the golf course, the company will also construct a ski centre with 59 km ski slopes and 20 km lifts. Hotels and residential buildings for around 3000 beds will be constructed close by the equipments. During the last year the sites around Razlog attracted numerous Bulgarian and foreign investors. Several vacation complexes are now being constructed and more than 1000 decares in the region of the future golf courses are already sold. Four villages in Razlog municipal will also offer golf courses. On the last session, the local Razlog parliament decided, that the municipal will participate in four companies of the villages Dobarsko, Godlevo, Gorno Draglishte and Dolno Draglishte. The complex nearby Dobarsko will be the fourth one for “Balkanstroy”, and the joint company “Rila Golf & Spa Resort” will receive 1390 decares of land plots from the municipal, for 30% of the capital.  Dobarsko is already a famous tourism destination with its unique church “St. St. Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratilate”, built in 1914 and a church from the national Revival period with well preserved antique oven. Together with the company from Great Britain ECRM the joint company will be called “Razlog Golf Club”. The municipal will hold 30% of the shares, as it will participate with 2235 decares of land nearby Dolno Draglishte. Razlog municipal will also develop a plan of the region. 1430 decares will be provided for the golf course nearby Gorno Draglishte. It will be constructed by “Razlog Valley Golf & Spa”, and the municipal will hold 30 % of the shares. The investor is the Bulgarian company “Valley”. The municipal will also hold one fifth of the shares in “White Mountain Golf Club” complex nearby Godlevo, for 1400 decares of land plots. The complex is just seven kilometres away from Razlog. Investor is the Austrian “North Investment” GMBH. Not far from the future golf course, in Godlevo village itself, a luxurious complex with excellent facilities and extras, called “Godlevo resort” is also about to be constructed. The projection and construction of the complexes will take six years. Razlog municipality guarantees the realization of the project, as it participates in all of them. The “Golf Plus” company, owned by the first Bulgarian cosmonaut Mr. Georgi Ivanov, prepared the project for the golf course in Bansko. Several years ago the organization won an auction for 370 decares municipal land. The concentration of golf complexes on the territory of Pirin will inevitably lead to the growth of the region as a first class international golf destination, which combined with the excellent ski slopes in Bansko and the new ski slopes which will be constructed in the Kulinoto site and the Dobrinishte resort is a prerequisite for steady development of the region.  The spa and wellness recourses of the region are also very attractive, which transforms the Razlog valley into the most developed tourism zone for all year round tourism in Bulgaria. This small paradise nook huddled at the foot of the three mountains Pirin, Rodope and Rila, becomes a worldwide famous destination for ski, golf and spa tourism, attracting the attention of high-standing tourists. Source: Kamelia Krumova, www.VisitBulgaria.NET, October 2007 http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Why-Foreign-Tourists-Fall-in-Love-with-Bulgaria/1851.html The most attractive characteristics of Bulgaria are: cuisine, personal security, Bulgarians' friendliness and hotel conditions, says a State Agency of Tourism research among 3,000 foreign tourists. At the same time, advantageous prices and beautiful nature are the reasons that would provoke foreigners to recommend Bulgaria to other people. The most repulsive sides of the Bulgarian tourist product, considering the foreigner's opinion are: the noise in the resorts, low level of speaking foreign languages and low level of politeness among the service staff. 66% from the required Britons and 65% from the Balkan countries' citizen would return to rest in Bulgaria again. 63% of the people who participated in the poll are for second time on local resort, each forth required tourist comes for 4th time, which makes him permanent visitor of the country. According to the most visited places in Bulgaria by foreigners, the capital city of Sofia is dominating in the SAT's poll, followed by seaside resorts; Varna and Burgas. The most popular spa destinations are Velingrad and Bansko. In 2001 a tourist had spent in Bulgaria 580 EUR, in 2004 the sum decreases to 370 EUR, while now its - 320 EUR. 17% of the required tourists said that Bulgaria has no enough tourism information in their countries. The biggest competitor of Bulgaria is Spain, according to the research. Turkey, Greece and Egypt are also preferred tourism destinations. The poll was made among 3,000 tourists, while 4 million foreigners had visited Bulgaria in the passed tourists. Print | Send http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Five-great-bargain-ski-resorts/1847.html London. Bansko, Bulgaria The village of Bansko has invested heavily in lift infrastructure and has some varied, if limited terrain. The peak-season queues show it to be a victim of its own success, but go low season and you'll be pleasantly surprised. While you can get a self-catering package for as little as £264pp, it's worth splashing out on the Kempinski, surely the cheapest five-star in the mountains. The ski pass, impressive ski school and ski hire are a snip at £145 per adult and £86 per child. The restaurants in town serve huge pork kebabs and other chargrilled meats for as little as £1 a pop. Tipping the ever present folk band is up to you. Finnish Lapland This season, Finland's Santa Central has taken up the multi-activity baton and steamed off with it toward the horizon on its cross-country skis. As well as husky sledding, snowmobiling, ice karting, reindeer safaris etc, Lapland has ski terrain which, while molehills next to the Alps, works well for families, beginners and take-it-easy intermediates. Many resorts also up the family-friendly ante with huge indoor leisure complexes, a handy fallback when temperatures (generally around freezing, sometimes as low as -20C) turn nasty. It's some of Europe's cheapest skiing too - a six-day pass over New Year in the Finnish resort Yllas costs £80. · First Choice (0871 200 7799, firstchoice.co.uk/ski) has seven nights' self-catering in Yllas from £216 inc flights. laplandfinland.com. Nendaz, Switzerland The ace up the sleeve of this unassuming, humbly priced Swiss village is the Four Valleys with 412km of pistes serving the old-school-toff-magnet Verbier. You're free to drop in, of course, and blow a fiver on a hot chocolate at lunchtime, but be sure to get back to base by the time the lifts close - not only will you save yourself a wedge, you'll be surrounded by the kind of undervalued tranquillity and tradition Switzerland's less flash resorts do so beautifully. Families qualify for nifty discounts on liftpasses, and the Nendaz website bristles with bargains on accommodation-and-liftpass combos - how does £210pp per week grab you? · Crystal (0870 160 6040, crystalski.co.uk) has seven nights' self-catering from £179pp inc flights. nendaz.ch. Åre, Sweden Like its family cars and flat-pack furniture, Sweden's mountains lack melodrama, but score points on value for money. Åre, the country's biggest resort, has 101km of slopes, mostly falling to the gorgeous Åresjön lake which, in its spring thaw and with a sunset turning the sky hot pink, glows like lava. Be prepared for closures on much of the gale-prone higher ground, but to come here with a week of unbroken downhill skiing in mind would be missing the point. Åre offers funky nightlife and keeps rocking till the morning light. A new direct flight from London to nearby Kiruna cuts out the previously unavoidable Stockholm stop. · Neilson (0870 3333356, neilson.co.uk) has seven nights' self-catering for £309pp inc flights. visitsweden.com. Banff Alberta, Canada Because Banff national park is primarily a big summer destination, with its towering summits, glacier-sculpted contours and rich wildlife - elk stroll down the streets and bear-proof bins are the order of the day - it has always offered winter visitors great value. While the downside is that there's no skiing from the town itself, three ski areas are within 45 minutes by car or shuttle (free with a three-area pass), putting 7,700 acres of terrain from pristine groomers to cruisy glade runs to knee-trembling steeps at your ski tips. One of North America's most abundant snowfalls seals the deal. · Take a risk on the January temperatures (can be quite pleasant, can be -35C), Thomson (0870 606 1470, visitsweden.com) has seven nights' self-catering from £299pp including flights and transfers, Guardian reported. http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bulgaria-To-See-Snow-This-Weekend/1848.html Snowfall has been predicted for Bulgaria this weekend, by snow-forecast.com. This news should delight those looking to book ski holidays in Bansko in the near future. Light snow has been forecast to fall in the region over this weekend on Friday October 20th and Saturday October 21st, with moderate snow expected on the Sunday night. Temperatures are likely to drop to -6 degrees Celsius on Saturday evening with the heaviest snowfalls of the weekend anticipated by snow-forecast.com to arrive late on Sunday October 22nd. Meanwhile those looking to take a ski break in Austria this winter will be buoyed by reports that 65 cms of snow is forecast to fall in the resort of Hintertux , while other resorts such as Dachstein Glacier could see as much as 350 cms of powder, according to the Ski Club of Great Britain. There is the hope that this winter will see good snow fall, after weather experts told the Ski Club that a La Nina year could bring "more snow than normal" to the Pacific northwest. http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bansko-Ski-Resort-Still-Interesting-Despite-Building-Boom/1831.html This winter season Bulgaria's top ski resort Bansko expects more than 800,000 guests, informed Standart news, citing sources from the resort's municipality. Hotels and apartments for rent can accommodate 15,000 people. After the constructional works on hotels in Bansko ends, the resort will offer lodgings to 30,000 people. The investments are estimated to more than 1 billion EUR. 10 new 4-star hotels will be open soon. We guarantee there will be no problems of water or electricity-supply character, said from the resort's municipality. The funds given for infrastructure improvements in 2008 are on the amount of 25 million BGN (12,5 million EUR). In spite of the construction boom, the interest to Bansko is still growing. Square meter land on the municipality territory costs 200 EUR and the price of residential buildings reached 1,200 EUR per sq m.  Sourceinternational.news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Ski-Headlines-for-Oct.-17/1832.html Bansko Ski Resort Still Interesting Despite Building Boom This winter season Bulgaria’s top ski resort Bansko expects more than 800,000 guests, informed Standart news, citing sources from the resort’s municipality. Ski resorts face labor shortage due to visa issue Ski areas across New York state are facing a labor shortage for the upcoming season.That’s because no more temporary non-agricultural worker visas are available for the first three months of 2008. More World Cup points at next Tour de Ski edition The next Tour de Ski winners can earn double the World Cup points than in the inaugural edition of the eight-race cross-country ski series, the ruling body FIS said on Wednesday. The FIS said at the Forum Nordicum meeting in Sweden that World Cup points will be awarded at all eight stops of the December 28- January 6 event, but half the amount than at a regular race with 50 instead of 100 points for the winner. The overall champion then bags another 400 points. Investors buy Sleeping Giant Ski Area A pair of investors have bought the Sleeping Giant Ski Area in Park County and plan to reopen it by Thanksgiving 2008. Jim Nielson and Tom Fitzsimmons, both of Cody, signed a contract earlier this month with Keith Dahlem and Dahlem’s mother. Dahlem owned improvements on the property inside Shoshone National Forest and had a Forest Service permit for the ski area until earlier this year. Source: www.glacier3000.ch http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/One-and-Two-Bed-Units-from-only-44,000/1817.html Be the first to own an impressive 5* secure gate development that will cater for resident owners and tourists upon completion in late 2010. The development is located near the charming town of Bansko, Bulgaria’s leading ski resort and Europe’s most up and coming low cost ski resort. Crystal Springs Resort offers spectacular residential complex. Its design along with the beauty and serenity of the surrounding area provide for an extraordinarily indulging and all natural experience. The lovely residential complex with its modern SPA centre, 10x14 m indoor swimming pool, professional techno-gym fitness centre and tennis court, is shaped to offer all seasons’ entertainments to its guests. Residence Facilities Crystal Springs Resort visitors will enjoy various leisure and entertainment on-site facilities, creating their luxury residence in a serene mountain environment. Owners and visitors will benefit from the convenience of having open air tennis court, 10x14m indoor swimming pool, cafébars, children’s activities, shops and restaurants all within the private grounds of the residence. The Resorts offers facilities and appliances for service of disabled people in accordance with all the requirements. Outdoor Activities Ski and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, hiking, climbing and mountain tourism, golfing, tennis, horseback riding, Nordic walking, fishing and rafting are some of the outdoor activities to be experienced while at Crystal Springs Resort. Situated right below the Pirin Mountain Crystal Springs Resort provides all of the benefits a national park has to offer. The magnificent mountain peaks, green hills, sunny days and blue skies will charm any nature lover. Health & Wellness Crystal Springs Resort has modern wellness and professional techo-gym fitness centres, offering refreshing sports activities and extraordinary SPA services and massages. Visitors also enjoy a comfortable 10x14m indoor swimming pool. Crystal Springs Resort provides an incredible balance between recreational and leisure activities. Stylish & Functional Furniture The investors will have the option of purchasing a quality furniture pack. Prices for furniture packs start from £6000 for a one bed and £8000 for a two bedroom apartments (incl. VAT). The developers have selected designers who will furnish the interiors with functional and stylish furniture and fittings that will appear to a broad section of tenants. Designed with subtle flair and utilising quality materials, we expect this furniture design to be a long-lasting and great value for money. Close to the time of rough construction the furniture packs will be offered to our clients. Clients will receive an itemised list and images of the furniture prior to purchasing their furniture pack. So don't miss out on this amazing offer why not increase your portfolio for as little as £1100 per sq ft, inspection trips throughout the year are priced at £150 and are fully refundable against a purchase. Source: Google News Alert for: Bansko http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Owner-of-construction-site-in-Bansko-to-pay-BGN-4,000-to-BGN-10,000-for-refusing-to-cooperate-to-regional-labor-inspectorate/1818.html Bansko. The owner of the construction company in Bansko, where a concrete platform collapsed today, has refused to cooperate to the regional labor inspectorate, the Director of the regional inspectorate Nikolay Mavrodiev said in an interview for FOCUS News Agency. ‘The check will continue tomorrow. We called the regional police to deal with the refusal and tomorrow we will continue to establish the reasons for the incident’, Mavrodiev said. As FOCUS announced earlier, a concrete platform collapsed at a construction site in the Bulgarian winter resort town of Bansko at a moment when seven workers were standing on it. The workers were transported to a hospital in the town of Razlog. One of them had to be hospitalized. Her is 39 years old and doctors fear that two of his vertebrae could be broken, but this is still to be confirmed by tests. According to initial information his life is out of danger. The incident happened at about 5.50 pm. Scource: FOCUS News Agency http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Concrete-platform-collapses-at-construction-site-in-Bansko,-Bulgaria/1777.html Bansko. A concrete platform collapsed at a construction site in the Bulgarian winter resort town of Bansko at a moment when seven workers were standing on it, the National Medical Coordination Center announced for FOCUS News Agency. The workers were transported to a hospital in the town of Razlog. One of them had to be hospitalized. Her is 39 years old and doctors fear that two of his vertebrae could be broken, but this is still to be confirmed by tests. According to initial information his life is out of danger. The incident happened at about 5.50 pm. Source: FOCUS News Agency   http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/BRITISH-REAL-ESTATE-INTEREST-SHIFTING-TOWARDS-MOUNTAIN-RESORTS-AND-CITIES/1772.html Real estate in Bulgaria's larger cities was increasingly popular among UK buyers, Paul Collins, an expert with the BuyAssociation web site, said on October 5, as quoted in an interview for investor.bg. While until recently, Brits were prone to buying property at Bulgaria’s Black Sea resorts, now they were more and more turning their attention to residential and vacation property, offered at the winter ski resorts and the big cities, Collins said. The real estate market for mountain resorts had better sustained development potential, he said. Holiday homes’ supply in the ski resorts increased by more than 50 per cent in the first half of 2007, according to Colliers International’s latest holiday homes report. Some 10 000 new housing units were offered on the market during the same period. The total supply of vacation property in the mountain resorts was more than 28 000 units, Colliers says. According to the report, Bansko was the resort with the most significant growth, as it accounted for 78 per cent of all newly supplied apartments and houses. The rest of the offered newly constructed vacation housing was divided mainly between the other two large ski resorts – Borovets and Pamporovo. Despite certain signs of over-construction in Bansko and other resorts, the real estate in the mountains was a preferred option for individual investors. Owning property there looked an easier way of making money through buy-to-let, Collins said. Source: www.sofiaecho.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Tourism-conditions-in-Pirin-mountain-are-good/1769.html  Bansko. The tourism conditions in the Pirin mountain are good, the mountain rescue service announced for Radio FOCUS – Pirin. The weather is sunny, clear and quiet. Maximum temperatures are 16°C at 1200 m above sea level and 10°C at 2000 m. To avoid problems in the mountain the mountain rescue service recommends mountaineers to dress with winter equipment and to have topped-up GSMs to be able to call in case a problem arises. Source: FOCUS News Agency   http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/BULGARIANS-IN-EU/1773.html EU member states have given legal jobs to 220 000 Bulgarians, Johan Ten Geuzendam of the Employment and Mobility Services department with the European Commission said. The figure represented four per cent of all Europeans working in the EU, outside of their home country. At present, the EU collectively had four million vacancies, he said. Of the total job offers listed on the European Job Mobility Portal, 2300 cater directly to Bulgarians. The majority of employers wanting to employ Bulgarians are from Cyprus, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Source: www.sofiaecho.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bulgarias-Kremikovtzi-on-the-market/1774.html Everybody who has taken the care to look at Sofia’s land map knows that the city has developed mainly to the south, the west and the north but never to the east. The reason was simple. At the eastern end of Sofia stands a massive monster, a reminder of Bulgaria’s communist industrial past, the once pride and joy, Kremikovtzi steel plant. The chimneys of Kremikovtzi can be seen when passing on the motorway to Varna. The heavy smoke coming from those chimneys can also be seen, which reveals why Sofia was never developed at its eastern end. For dozens of years Kremikovtzi has been sending its smoke directly to Sofia and its citizens, leaving little space for any business in the area. This, despite all the positive assets of the Kremikovtzi area, such as the well developed road and railway infrastructure, has turned the area into a much deserted one. This, however, according to Sofia’s chief architect Petur Dikov could be changed. What Dikov said on September 28 took many by surprise and triggered speculation about immense profit from real-estate deals. On September 28, Dikov told journalists that Kremikovtzi should be closed down and turned into a modern high-tech business centre with skyscrapers and shopping malls. “I do not see why we should keep this technologically old steel plant running and polluting the air when we could have a centre similar to the London City, just outside Sofia,” Dikov said. All that Kremikovtzi’s owner the Indian tycoon Pramod Mittal had to do was to close Kremikovtzi, demolish it and sell the land to investors. Indeed Dikov’s words make sense since Kremikovtzi has one big asset: its land. If demolished Kremikovtzi will most certainly become a “real-estate El Dorado” with its thousands of hectares. According to Dikov, the land of Kremikovtzi was suitable for sky scrapers and other high-tech construction. Dikov said that his idea was just a suggestion to Kremikovtzi’s owners. The later did not take it that easily. Kremikovtzi’s CEO Alexander Tomov reacted negatively to Dikov’s words. Speaking on Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on October 2 Tomov called Dikov’s statements “ignorant”. “To close down Kremikovtzi is madness since the plant accounts for three per cent of the country’s GDP and 10 per cent of Bulgaria’s imports to the EU,” Tomov said Most of all,Tomov said, it would take up to 10 years for the plant to be demolished and billions of euro would be lost. Tomov came out with his own proposal. “We are intending to invest in turning Kremikovtzi into a green plant, meaning that the plant will continue to work as usual but maintaining the highest ecological standards. This means that Kremikovtzi can become a high-tech industrial centre as oppose to just business centre,” Tomov told BNT. According to him, Dikov’s idea was simply part of mayor Boiko Borissov’s October 28 municipal elections campaign. “We know that Kremikovtzi has serious problems with environmental issues but we are following a programme and investing money in changing this. Moreover we are covering all our debts to suppliers with the exception of the debts we inherited when Kremikovtzi was privatised. For these debts, however, we have also signed agreements with the suppliers,” Tomov said. What is the real nature of Dikov’s idea and whether it is possible at all, only time will tell, but his words caused a stir on the market, according to real-estate brokers. At present, the price of land in the area is 55 euro a sq m. After Dikov’s statement brokers said there was a certain trend in increasing the prices which would inevitably lead to speculation. Source: www.sofiaecho.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Developers-showcase-top-offerings-at-BalPEx-exhibition/1775.html A pipeline of real estate projects from major developers were on display at the Balkan Property Exhibition (BalPEx) which wrapped in Sofia on Sunday. Judging by the scale and number of the showcased projects, the indications on both the supply and demand side are that the Bulgarian market seems unlikely to be sucked into the U.S. subprime fallout, which has spread to some Western European states. An overview released by think-tank Industry Watch values the Bulgarian construction industry at 2.3-2.6 bln euro annually. The figures indicate that the construction industry is absorbing a third of foreign direct investment and there is nothing to suggest that growth pace will slow down, said Industry Watch. The exhibition was dominated by residential projects where asking sale prices showed no signs of abating. Prices for the latest batch of gated up-market housing developments start at around 1000 euro a sq m. Source: www.propertywisebulgaria.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Profit-from-sport--Bansko-property-prices-set-for-a-further-rise/1751.html As winter approaches holiday thoughts turn to skiing or snowboarding and choosing that destination for sport and fun. But now could be the time to be thinking of living the dream with a new holiday home and profitable property investmentfrom Britannia Overseas Property. Bansko has received many accolades including most recently from The Ski Club of Great Britain, describing Banskoas one of the most well developed ski resorts in Eastern Europe and in recent years there has been substantial investment in the lifts and the accommodation in the resort. As well as the modern developments, however, there is also an attractive old town and the resort is surrounded by the spectacular Pirin Mountains. The affordability of Bansko and the increase in low cost flights including the recently launched easyjet route to Sofia will result in an increased number of visitors offering the investor greater rental opportunities and continued growth in Bansko property prices. The time to act is now. Britannia Overseas Property has been granted one of the last building permits to develop Regency Court which is perfectly located 250 meters from the Gondola station. Regency Court is a luxury development of just 59 apartments, with spa facilities and heated ski rooms and prices starting at only £24,995. Britannia are so confident about the rental potential of this development they are offering a guaranteed rental return of 6% per annum for the first two years. Launched last weekend 30% of apartments have sold already. Visit britop.com or visit Britannia at the Metro Ski and Snowboard show, Olympia. For those who are looking to hit the slopes Britannia Overseas Property has been working in conjunction with The Ski Club of GB to provide these Top 10 Winter Sports Tips: 1) Always take out travel insurance that covers you for winter sports activities. Read the small print...you can easily get caught out. 2) If you are going on your ski holiday during peak dates try and pre-book ski school. They can often get booked up during half term holidays 3) Don't forget the essentials - hat, goggles, gloves, ski socks and your thermals 4) Make sure you always wear sunscreen on the slopes. Even if it is cloudy you can get burnt. Panda eyes are not the best look! 5) Get up early and catch the first lift - it is the quietest time to be on the slopes. 6) Drinks lots of water and avoid too much alcohol. It is easy to get dehydrated at altitude 7) Try and dry your ski or snowboard boots each evening. There is nothing worse than wet, cold boots in the morning. All Britannia’s developments have heated ski rooms and lockers. 8) Check the snow reports and weather forecast before you go. 9) Take lots of layers when you are on the slopes. This is the best way to stay warm and if you get too hot you can take some layers off. 10) Warm up and cool down after skiing - and take lots of baths (or Jacuzzis) to avoid those aching muscles. Source: www.responsesource.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Radio-FOCUS--Pirin-now-heard-in-Kyustendil/1747.html Kyustendil. The program of Radio FOCUS – Pirin now sounds in Kyustendil, western Bulgaria at 96,7 MHz. The local program from the Kyustendil studio is broadcast from 8.00 am to noontime and from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm, the rest of the time listeners will be connected to Radio FOCUS in Blagoevgrad.  That way the frequencies of the radio in Southwestern Bulgaria are by one more: 97,6 for Blagoevgrad, 94,7 for Dupnitsa, 96,7 for Kyustendil, 104,5 for Petrich and the region, 99,0 for Sandanski, Kresna and Strumiyani, 88,1 for Gotse Delchev, Hadzhidimovo, Garmen and Satovcha, 88.0 for Bansko, Razlog and Dobrinishte, 105.4 Strumitsa and Novo Selo. http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/More-investment-opportunities-beyond-Bucharest/1770.html Bucharest is big business in Romania, but now other cities and towns are gradually emerging, demonstrating that there are more investment opportunities beyond the capital. Following on from the increasing growth of Bucharest, new areas are now attracting more and more foreign real estate investment away from the Romanian capital. Obelisk International says that other regions including Transylvania, Romania’s biggest tourist asset, is enticing overseas property investors to what is tipped to be the new Bulgaria in terms of growth. Tourist areas, outside the capital and the coastal resorts, are springing up in the interior of the country due to increasingly popular activities such as skiing, various outdoor pursuits, and the multitude of medieval towns including Brasov and Sighisoara, the main towns for the Carpathian Mountains and Romania’s largest ski resort. New infrastructure to the area will also help stimulate growth and includes a new international airport in Brasov, which is due to complete in 2008, and a motorway connecting the airport with the city of Bucharest. The Brasov airport will boast a capacity of one million passengers a year with carriers such as easyJet and Ryanair planning to run flights from the UK. easyJet has also announced that from 29th October they will be flying direct to Bucharest for only £29.99 each way, cutting the cost of flights by £120 and further boosting property investment exposure for the country. Romanian investment opportunities do not stop at the tourist destinations, the university city of Cluj­Napoca with the largest population in Romania is situated 200 miles north west of Bucharest and is a huge rental market opportunity with over 54,000 students and attracting many buy-­to-­let investors. Romania has a double taxation treaty with mortgages open to both locals and foreigners, but despite its Black Sea coast, booming capital city and emerging ski resorts, Romania has yet to see the same development boom as its neighbour Bulgaria, which all points to an early profitable market for the prudent property investor. Source: www.easier.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Sofia-Skatepark-Project-Closer-than-Ever/1666.html Now is officially announced information that AISA Disaster (aka team-disaster.com) and Sofia Municipality will build up Skate Park in Sofia, informed skatebg.com. The park will correspond to the latest world standards. The constructional company is the famous German ‘Concrete Skateparks', which has big experience in the constructions of skate parks all around Europe. There is no specialized building company like this in Bulgaria or even on the Balkans. The park will be made by concrete, but the loading platform will be probably from metal covered by protective polymer surface. Details will be settled soon. The initiators are working out the park's design in the moment. 3-D plans will be ready in 3 weeks and will be presented to Sofia's municipality and the architecture department. We will consult people from inline, bmx and skate circles, said from AISA. We are closely collaborating with Skatebg and Virus skateboards and everyone who wishes to discuss the park's design, said Marco Jara from Team-Disaster. The teams of Skatebg.com and Team-Disaster.com are ready to receive on e-mail your suggestions. Peace! Source: www.news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Progress-in-Bulgarian-Economy/1659.html Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) in the first six months of 2007 grew with 6.4% compared to the same period last year, informed from National Statistics Institute. Bulgaria's GDP in the first half stood at 24.47 billion BGN (12,3 billion EUR). It is marked 9.1% expansion of industry and 8.8% increase in the sector of services over the first six months of 2006. According to the institute's data, GDP per head in the first quarter was 3,179 BGN (1,600 EUR). Bulgaria's economy grew by 6.1% last year, and the government has planed 5.8 % growth for 2007. Source: www.news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Romania-PM-Urges-Romanian-Firms-to-Invest-in-Bulgaria/1660.html Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu urged on Wednesday Romanian firms to invest more heavily in Bulgaria, during a working visit to Sofia. "Romanian firms are beginning to reach the dimension that allows them to become important players in the region, not just domestically," Tariceanu told reporters at the opening of a Mobexpert store in the Bulgarian capital. "I wish more Romanian firms would follow the example of [furniture chain] Mobexpert and [oil company] Rompetrol and invest in Bulgaria," he added. Total Romanian investment in Bulgaria totals just EUR 75 M, including EUR 10 M by Mobexpert for its first furniture store south of the Danube. Tariceanu is in Sofia for a working visit and is scheduled to meet with his Bulgarian counterpart Sergey Stanishev later in the day. Source: www.novinite.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Romanian-Furniture-Retailer-Mobexpert-Enters-Bulgaria/1661.html Romanian furniture retailer Mobexpert opened its superstore in Bulgarian capital Sofia on Wednesday, following a EUR 10 M investment. Sprawling over 11 000 square meters in the Lyulin district of the city, it was opened by Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, Sofia mayor Boyko Borissov and Mobexpert CEO Dan Sucu. This is the chain's sixth superstore and the first outside Romania, but Mobexpert plans to open another two over the next four years, Sucu said. "It is a great joy for us to step on the Bulgarian market. When I started this business 14 years ago, my goal was to prove that good products do not have to be expensive. I am glad that today we are growing outside Bulgaria, but still pursuing the same goal," he added. The group's other chain, Mobexpert Office, which retails exclusively office furniture, has been present in Bulgaria for two years. Mobexpert group, which has an integrated structure with production, retail, wholesale, logistics and real estate divisions, reported a turnover of EUR 150 M. Source: www.novinite.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/EU-Eases-Visa-Regime-with-Balkans/1662.html The European Union signed in Brussels visa agreements with five Balkan countries, making it cheaper and easier for Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia citizens to travel. The deals are expected to come into force in January and the five countries also agreed to take back illegal immigrants who reach the EU through the Balkans, EU expands reported. EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini made clear the outcome of the deal depended on how effectively the Balkan nations kept their promise to deal with illegal migrants. He also called for stricter border controls and the introduction of safe passports with biometric features. Under the agreements, some, including students, business people and journalists, will find it easier to get visas, for which they will continue to pay about 35 euros rather than the standard cost which is almost double. The Balkan countries have complained that strict EU visa rules have confined them to a ghetto at the heart of Europe. The deal has been in discussions for a long time but strong resistance from countries like Germany made it difficult to be achieved and it may take even longer to achieve visa-free travel, BBC comments. Source: www.novinite.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bulgarian-Software-to-Control-Worlds-Highest-Building/1656.html Bulgarian software for controlling state property and asset Facility Management Center could be implanted in the highest building in the world - Burj, Dubai, informed from Center Mine, the company that integrates the program. The product was presented in an exhibition in Dubai this month. The Bulgarian software product improves the managing of buildings and helps for optimizing the expenses for electricity, communication, repairs, sanitation and others. According to international research with entering of such product, the exploitation drain of the building could reduce with 35%, said Goran Milanov, executive director of Centre Mind. Source: www.news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Today-is-Sofia-Day/1643.html On September 17 the Christian world honors the Holy martyrs Viara, Nadejda and Liubov (Faith, Hope and Love) and their mother - St. SofiaLegend says that in the first decades of II century, in Rome had lived a woman, named Sofia, that freely professed her faith in Jesus Christ. She brought up her three daughters - Viara, Nadejda and Liubov (Faith, Hope and Love) in trust in Christ too. When the emperor by that time - Adrian understood about them decided to torture them until Sofia and her daughters denied from their faith. The girls took horrible tortures and died after that, but never recant. Their mother had to watch all the girls' sufferings. The church honors Sofia as martyr, because she was witness of the monstrous torments that her children were put under. September 17 is announced for Bulgarian capital's holiday from 1992. Today is also a name day for the people named after: Viara, Vera, Nadejda, Liubov, Liuba, Liubo, Sevda, Sofia. Source: news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Russias-First-Lady-Visits-Bulgaria/1644.html The wife of the Russian president Vladimir Putin – Lyudmila Putina arrives on a 2-day visit to Bulgaria. Russia's first lady will open the 11th congress of the International association of teachers of Russian language and culture, which will be held tomorrow in the Bulgarian Black sea capital Varna. Today at 13.30h Lyudmila Putina and the wife of the Bulgarian president Zorka Parvanova wil visit Sofia university “St. Kliment Ohridski” where a ceremony will be held to name the Russian language test center there after acad. V.V. Vinogradov. Source: news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Sofias-Top-Centre-Ariana-Lake-Back-in-Function/1652.html Sofia Mayor Boiko Borisov opened officially the reconstructed lake ‘Ariana' situated in the centre of the capital, right next to Orlov most (Eagle's bridge). Borisov turned the tap and the water filling of the lake started. Bulgaria's President Georgy Purvanov also attended the opening. ‘Ariana' will be filled in 14 days with 65,000 cubic meters of water. From March to December there will be boats and water wheels, while in winter time the lake will be used as skating-ring. This is the first step of the opening of ‘Orlov most' complex (Eagle's bridge complex), treating the lake and the surroundings. The second stage includes constructions of restaurant, caf?, day bar and open-air kindergarten, next to Ariana, that will be opened in the next month. Round 2 million BGN (1 million EUR) were needed for the restore of the lake. Money was gathered by private investors. Source: www.international.ibox.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Twenty-two-Bulgarian-and-Macedonian-municipalities-twinned-in-past-two-years/1645.html Bulgaria’s Smolyan Municipality has twinned with Macedonia’s Gostivar Municipality. The cooperation agreement was signed by Smolyan Mayor Dora Yankova and her Gostivar counterpart, Nevzat Bejta. This is the 12th municipality Smolyan twins with. The Macedonian delegation was accompanied by Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Macedonia General Miho Mihov, who is honorary citizen of Smolyan. Radio FOCUS – Smolyan spoke to General Miho Mihov for that reason: FOCUS: Mr. Ambassador, do you have statistics about how many Bulgarian municipalities have twinned with Macedonian ones? General Miho Mihov: For the past two years we have twinned twenty-two Bulgarian and as many Macedonian municipalities. We contact and know personally the mayors of many of the places. For example, one of the first twinning between St. Nikole and Sapareva Banya happened a year and a half ago. We have previously treated the issue informally, but I want it to be formal, signed by an agreement, seals and signatures, which gives a long-term perspective for what we are talking about. We want to recover the lost faith. Almost all big Macedonian municipalities and towns have twinned with many Bulgarian ones. For example, Krushevo Municipality, which is very interesting from a historical point of view, has twinned with two Bulgarian towns. It twinned with the first town on Ilinden, August 2 with Kavarna, not long ago it twinned with Bansko. Bansko has been twinned with many Macedonian towns. I am happy with what we do today here and I think that such a modern twinning that equalizes ethnicity and religion is the most important thing as a sign and intention for what we have shown about the region on the western Balkans. FOCUS: What is your evaluation of the Bulgarian-Macedonian relations after Bulgaria joined the EU? General Miho Mihov: Perhaps you mean the Macedonian relation to Bulgaria’s EU membership. The desire to have it all for all the peoples, especially on the Balkans is typical for Macedonia, so when Macedonian citizens had the chance to travel around the world before, now Bulgaria has the right as an EU member state and that has annoyed in some way the Macedonian community and society. Bulgaria requires visas for Macedonian citizens. You see that this is a new state for Macedonia, which is former member of Yugoslavia that had many rights. Many of your colleagues have written some articles not well-meant ahead of our membership as of January 1 and a little after. I am honest by saying that there is no such a campaign against the Bulgarian membership now. At the same time Macedonia should not be rebuked by Bulgaria in this sense. The Bulgarian embassy and the Consulate General in Bitola, which was opened to relieve the visa regime to Macedonian citizens cooperate heavily with all municipalities and mayors with the idea to implement joint projects of the neighbourhood type, for which the EU pledged EUR 36 million. The issue whether Macedonia is jealous of Bulgaria’s EU membership is not tragic, on the contrary, that way they want to show that they need our experience to negotiate a closer date for talks and membership to NATO. FOCUS: How will you mark the 110th anniversary of the first Bulgarian diplomatic representation to Bitola? General Miho Mihov: We will mark it in Bitola. On September 19 and 20 we mark 110 years of the first diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Macedonia. In 1905 – 1912 Bulgaria opened a commercial representation in Bitola, which later became a diplomatic one. It was closed when the Balkan War started. When we were criticized for opening a consulate general to Bitola, but not to Ohrid or Strumitsa, one of the arguments was that Bulgaria has diplomatic traditions in Bitola. Then Bitola is a centre of southern Macedonia and can serve a bigger area. And third – Bitola has nine consulates, of which only two general ones – the Greek and the Bulgarian one. Source: Focus informationa agency http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bulgarias-Attempts-to-Become-Transport-Centre-of-SE-Europe/1646.html The recent signing of major contracts for railway infrastructure upgrade programmes is a key step in Bulgaria's plans to be a transport hub for Southeastern Europe. The combination of the experience of private European companies and EU funds will help the country overhaul its outdated freight system and allow it to maximise its international links with neighbouring countries. On September 5 the transport ministry struck a 162.5m euro deal with Astaldi, in which the Italian company will construct rail and electricity infrastructure on a 114km stretch between Plovdiv and Svilengrad, which is near the Greek and Turkish borders. In a separate deal, Austrian firm Thales Rail Signalling and French firm Alcatel Lucent will provide signalling and telecommunications infrastructure to the same stretch of rail in a contract worth 35.6m euros. When the project is completed, in an estimated 39 months, the line will be capable of taking trains travelling at 160km per hour. Anton Ginev, general director of the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC), told OBG that work on the line was "essential" to enhance the country's transportation system and would provide important service efficiency and reliability improvements by converting a diesel single-track part of the network to electrified service for passengers and freight. The NRIC is involved in several initiatives to upgrade the nation's rail infrastructure to help improve capacity, international linkages and bring the rail network up to par with EU standards for freight and passenger rail transport. A consortium lead by Spanish firm Iberinsa has signed a 3.35m-euro contract to provide technical support for the modernisation of the route from Vidin, on the southern bank of the Danube in northwestern Bulgaria, to Sofia. Finalised geographical surveys are expected for the Danube Bridge II that links Vidin to the Romanian town of Calafat in September. The bridge will provide road and rail connections between Bulgaria and Romania at a cost of 236m euros. Other stretches to receive attention include the lines between Plovdiv and Burgas, Mezdra and Gorna Oryahovitsa and Sofia and Plovdiv. The Bulgarian rail network is long due an overhaul. In the past decade only 790km of the country's 4316km of primary track has been upgraded and much of the power generation and signalling infrastructure is obsolete, meaning that trains are limited to speeds of 100km per hour on most lines. Usage of the country's rail network has dropped markedly since the early 1990s. In 1990 63.25m tonnes of freight was carried by rail. By 2006 this figure was 21.18m, up 900,000 tonnes on the previous year's figure. The Plovdiv - Svilengrad overhaul is expected to cost 340m euros, of which only 37m euros will come from the state coffers, 150m euros in the form of a loan from the European Investment Bank and the remaining 153m euros from the EU's Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession programme, which focuses on infrastructure. In addition, the NRIC is looking to sell non-crucial assets in order to raise revenues. In the first week of September, the Plovdiv and Pomorie stations were sold off for 7m euros and 11m euros respectively. Ginev said the sale of Pomorie station, which the NRIC owned, would provide resources for debt liquidation of the company. He said he expected "other unprofitable stations and railway infrastructure properties" would be sold that by the end of the year, providing an additional $44m. Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ), the national carrier, announced in September that it would place a 120m euro, 10-year private bond issue aimed at attracting Bulgarian and foreign investors. "A proportion of the money will go towards covering existing debts but the main focus is the overhaul of 1200 freight wagons in the BDZ fleet," Christina Belevelva, public relations manager for BDZ, told OBG. "Since last year we have seen strong growth in demand for rail freight services from Bulgarian businesses and the current fleet is outdated and insufficient." Competitors will increasingly meet this rise in demand. As of the first of this year, the Bulgarian freight sector has been open to private competition and in August the first private operator, Bulmarket, announced it had purchased five Siemens electric locomotives from Danish State Railways. The liberalisation of passenger operations to private carriers is planned for 2010. Bulgaria is looking to take advantage of its position as the eastern-most point of the EU to become a vital link for freight heading between Western and Central Europe and Asia. While much attention has focused on the country's attempts to upgrade its road connections, the existence of a multi-nodal transport system is crucial to the realisation of this goal. Construction of a 25.9m euro intermodal freight terminal in Sofia bringing together road, rail and air transport is expected to begin before the end of the year. There are plans for similar logistics centres in Plovdiv, Ruse and the port of Burgas. In a country where 700 cars are registered by authorities every day and news of severe traffic accidents are rarely out of the headlines, the development of a strong rail network can take the strain from the increasingly congested road network. Ginev told OBG that Bulgaria is the only European country where five of the ten Trans-European Transport Corridors (Corridors IV, VII, VIII, IX and X) pass. With that in mind, the country's potential to become a major transport leader in Southeast Europe and a future EU transportation hub can be assumed to be "very high." Source: news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bulgaria-is-Paradise-for-Unemployed-Westerners/1647.html The unemployed westerners live like kings in Bulgaria. It is enough for them to register at a Bulgarian Bureau of labour in order to secure for themselves at least 500 EUR, informs Standart newspaper. Michael Vitver is already using this opportunity. He is living with his Bulgarian girlfriend in a village near the town of Vratza. The ambitious girl has succeeded in proving that her boyfriend has the right to get unemployment compensation in Bulgaria as well. Thus for three months Michael will get 570EUR from the Bulgarian National insurance institute. Later, Germany will reimburse Bulgaria. If I was in my country, I would have taken this money for the whole year but anyway I don't regret, says the foreigner who is already in love not only with his girlfriend but also in Bulgaria. We don't know of other such case, claimed from the Employment Agency. After Bulgaria's accession to the EU, the foreigners from every EU member state can get an unemployment compensation in Bulgaria. Source: news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Is-Bulgarias-Concept-of-Trade-and-Industry-Changing/1648.html Bulgaria used to be a low-wage country, attracting investors with good profits. With its EU entrance, things changed. In some industries, the wage entitlements are rising, and there is a deficiency of skilled labor. The fashion boutique Rollmann is situated in downtown Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and it is one of the best stores for men's and women's outerwear in the area. The store has branches in four other Bulgarian cities, as well as in Greece and Macedonia. The German Bertram Rollmann, who trained to be a toolmaker, has been attracting the Bulgarian fashionistas for the past 13 years. He began virtually at the bottom, in 1993. "I found 25 young Bulgarians, whom I sent to a special nine-month training to Greece and Germany," he said. With the same people, he began to develop a manufacture in 1994. Profitable virgin land Rollmann first opened a small tailor shop in Gotse Delchev, a small town in southern Bulgaria. He began to manufacture for the German market, which is still his main market today. Trading in Switzerland, France, Turkey and Greece followed. "For the German investors, Bulgaria was a virgin land in 1993," Rollmann said. "Then, I was managing a company in Greece, through which I put the investment into the company in Bulgaria, and I came to realize that Bulgaria was good as headquarters, and it developed very well," he said. The German entrepreneur can indeed be very satisfied -- 650.000 men's suits are yearly delivered from "Pirintex," his company in Gotse Delchev. The number of employees has considerably risen, going from 25 in 1994, to 2350 employees and skilled laborers. Outstanding wage wars Rollmann is afraid that the requirements for foreign investors in Bulgaria are going to change now that the country is a member of the EU. He is expecting many amendments in the next few years, especially in the area of wages. "I hope that the corrections are modest, so that the young business association can stem the wage and price evolution," he said. The first wage war has already occurred. At the beginning of June, Rollmann's employees in Gotse Delchev went on strike. The labor union asked for a wage increase of 100 levs (50 euros), which is an increase of 40 percent. The management declined it, calling the union demands unacceptable. After 21 days on strike, Rollmann and the strike committee agreed on a compromising solution. The wages were increased by 80 levs, and the employees agreed to introduce improvements, such as more vacationing days and more money for overtime and nightly work. Mecca for craftsmen With the wage increases, Rollmann became worried about the ability to be compatible, because the prices of his products had to rise as well. He also worried about the availability of a qualified work force. In the next 15 to 20 years, various types of professionals in Bulgaria will die out, and there is no controlled educational system for skill-based professions. Every company educates their workers depending on their own demands. "There are no industry-standards that go through a central organization, such as the Board of Industry and Trade in Germany, which promote the technological and creative development of an industry, and push it forward." The old master craftsmen are slowly retiring and the young people are not educated in any skill-based profession. According to Rollmann, it is a problem that could be solved, if from now on, the influx of a qualified work force changed directions. "There would be many opportunities for German and northern European craftsmen to settle in Bulgaria and through their qualification and specialization contribute to the exchange of technology and the know-how." Rollmann himself can influence the reversal of the migrant storms in Europe: He is the new elected president of the German-Bulgarian Board of Industry and Trade in Sofia. Source: news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Ecologists-won-hundreds-hectares-of-nature/1619.html Eco activists achieved partial victory in the battle for the eco network ‘NATURA 2000'. National Council of Biological Diversity rejected on a session yesterday the claims of State Agency of Forests for the exclusion of hundreds of hectares of woods. Yesterday were approved 27 zones (1,5 million hectares) from a total of 29 protected zones. The Sega daily http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bulgarian-Land-launches-pre-sale-stage-of-second-Northern-Black-Sea-development/1620.html LSE-listed Bulgarian Land Development PLC (BLD) said it has launched the pre-sale stage of its second development in the Northern Black Sea - the July Morning Seaside Resort, a development spread over a 95,000 sq m seafront freehold site in Kavarna. The plot was assembled in 2006 through several off-market purchases. Start of construction is planned for the spring of 2008 (change of zoning pending) and completion of Stage 1 is expected in the summer of 2010, the company was quoted as saying by the RNS, the company news service of the LSE. The site is in the Balchik-Kavarna area, one of the most exclusive areas on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Several internationally designed golf courses are already under construction in this area and spa facilities are nearby. With a yacht marina to be constructed, BLD expects the region to become the most exclusive area on the Black Sea Coast and a center for golfing and sailing. Local authority construction regulations mean that the area should not become overcrowded. According to the developer, July Morning Seaside Resort is planned to provide a car-free environment so residents can enjoy a cleaner atmosphere in harmony with the surroundings. Inside the resort, golf carts will help residents move around. The buildings will be low-rise with plenty of green areas. Amenities of the resort will include a golf driving range, three swimming pools, a separate children's swimming pool, game rooms and open playgrounds, tennis courts, professional spa center, shops, cafe, restaurant and a beach lounge. The total number of units to be released in the first stage of the development is 351 - a mix of studios, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, and a number of larger semi detached low rise maisonettes with large sea-facing terraces. All units will be offered fully furnished at prices ranging from 45,000 euro for a studio up to 245,000 euro. Gross development value of the units in Stage 1 is 29 mln euro (including VAT). This launch follows the success of BLD's Harmony Hills development project near Albena Black Sea resort (50% of the units sold as of end-August) and the apartments acquired off-plan in Paradise Dune in Sozopol (78% of the units sold or reserved in 3 months).(Dnevnik) Source: dnevnik.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Pernik---First-Bulgarian-Town-with-Online-Info-Map/1621.html Bulgaria's Pernik (West from Sofia; geographic center of the Balkans) will be the first town in the country that has on-line informational system, related with civil servicing, reported money.bg. Specialists from ‘Bulplan' explained to the municipality administration how the universal e-map of the city works. The map includes detailed information, related with the cadastre, regulation, address map, emitted constructional permissions, municipality property, transport, social infrastructure. Complete information connected with the town's development is now illustrated clearly by plans, maps and texts. There is also possibility to be added renewable information, informed from ‘Bulplan'.   Source: news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Russians-Mad-About-Bulgarian-Wines/1622.html Russian National Association of Alcoholic drinks reported that Bulgarian wines are on 1stplace in sales in Russia, informed the Standart daily. The import of local wines and other alcoholic drinks increased with 70% in the first 7 months of 2007, compared to the same period last year. Bulgarian production removed Moldova from the imported wine market, announced Russian media. Bulgarian wines hold between 25-27% of the Russian market. Bulgarian wines are at reasonable prices and that make them preferable among the Russian consumers. Second place is taken by French wines but on higher price, followed by the Spanish wines. One bottle of Bulgarian wines costs round $ 4-4,5. The wine export form almost 75% of the Bulgarian exports to the Russian Federation, Standart told. Source: news.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Intel-Capital-and-MCI-have-Invested-in-Bulgarian-WiMAX-Operator-Nexcom/1623.html Intel Capital and MCI Management S.A. have announced today an investment in Nexcom Bulgaria EAD, an alternative Bulgarian telecommunications operator which is currently constructing a nation-wide WiMAX network to deliver a bundled solution of voice and wireless Internet services. Sofia, Bulgaria (PRWEB) September 12, 2007 -- Intel Capital and MCI Management S.A. have announced today an investment in Nexcom Bulgaria EAD, an alternative Bulgarian telecommunications operator which is currently constructing a nation-wide WiMAX network to deliver a bundled solution of voice and wireless Internet services. “Nexcom was the first operator in Bulgaria to deliver WiMAX-based voice and Internet services” said Chris Haller, co-founder and Chairman of Nexcom. “Over the next 12 months, Nexcom plans to continue rapid deployment of its national WiMAX network, providing bundled voice and Internet services in 24 Bulgarian cities and resort towns.” Added Emil Nikolov, co-founder and CEO of Nexcom, ”Our existing national IP infrastructure, mature sales, distribution network and interconnectivity with national and international carriers all give us a significant advantage over other would-be competitors. We believe that with this investment from Intel Capital and MCI, we will solidify Nexcom’s position as the main WiMAX operator in the Bulgarian market.” We are pleased to initiate our investment activity in Bulgaria with this investment in Nexcom, a project which we think will significantly improve the availability and affordability of telecommunications infrastructure to both consumers and businesses Nexcom Bulgaria EAD has been a leading provider of alternative telecommunications services in the Bulgarian market since 1998. In 2005, Nexcom won a tender for a national WiMAX frequency and is in the process of building out the first Bulgarian WiMAX-based wireless Internet and voice network. Nexcom earlier this year launched commercial WiMAX-based voice and Internet services in Sofia, the rapidly expanding resort town of Bansko, and in a number of resort towns along the coastline of the Black Sea. As a result of Nexcom’s positive brand equity and the insufficient development of the telecommunications infrastructure in many underserved areas in Bulgaria, the company has already signed contracts with numerous large corporate accounts interested in receiving Nexcom’s services. “Strong demand for wireless telecommunication services in the Bulgarian market, excellent executive team of Nexcom, technological and marketing support of Intel and MCI expertise in developing technology businesses lay foundations for the future success of the company,” said Bogdan Wi[niewski, Partner, MCI. “We are pleased to initiate our investment activity in Bulgaria with this investment in Nexcom, a project which we think will significantly improve the availability and affordability of telecommunications infrastructure to both consumers and businesses," said Marcin Hejka, director of Intel Capital in Central and Eastern Europe, “This investment is part of our global focus on supporting WiMAX development and deployment, which should make broadband more accessible to Bulgarians.” About Nexcom Bulgaria Founded in 1998, Nexcom Bulgaria is the leading alternative provider of telecommunications services in Bulgaria. In January of this year, Nexcom became the first company in Bulgaria to launch commercial WiMAX-based services. Nexcom provides a bundled offering of voice and broadband Internet services to corporate and residential customers throughout the country. By the end of 2007, Nexcom’s WiMAX network will provide coverage to more than 60% of the Bulgarian population. Source:pr web.com http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/PROPERTY-FOCUS:-Market-trends-in-Bulgaria/1624.html The Bulgarian southern Black Sea coast was the big winner this year when it came to the prices of holiday villages. This was one of the conclusions that could be drawn from a market watch report from real estate company Green Life Property Development (GLPD). The report was published on September 4. According to the company, owners of apartments in residential complexes or holiday villages in Sozopol have received an income of five to seven per cent from renting out their property this summer. In general, the prices of these estates have increased by 18 per cent over the course of the year. This, according to the report, contradicted reports that foreign buyers had started to withdraw from the Bulgarian real estate market. On the contrary, GLPD said that buyers had made money from their properties and there was no tension on the market. However, the GLPD report specified that this applied mostly to luxury residential and holiday complexes that had a good location, close to the coastline, and had a good infrastructure. According to Nikolai Pehlivanov, GLPD executive director, at the moment at Sozopol there were close to 20 residential and holiday complexes, that were under construction. Only four of them, however, fitted the description above and that was why many of the apartments had remained unsold. There was still a real need for complexes that met the above criteria. This showed that, despite the almost daily releases about new residential complexes being build, there was a serious need for the right kind of developments, those in the segment of the market that actually attracted buyers. “It was not because the clients have lost interest in this kind of property. It was simply because the concept of most of the complexes was wrong,” Pehlivanov said. GLPD cited a new trend in the market. Up until a year ago, 80 per cent of the buyers along the Black Sea coast were English speaking, today the situation had changed. UK citizens accounted for just 20 per cent of the real estate deals, according to GLPD data, while the new buyers came from countries such as the Russian Federation, the Baltic states, Romania, and surprisingly Belarus and Kazakhstan. New buyers, according to GLPD, meant new demands and new criteria, which if some investors did not manage to adapt to quickly enough would mean they lost their market positions. “This was probably the main reason why we have received so much negative information about the market lately,” Pehlivanov said. “If the motto of most UK buyers was ‘buy it as cheap as you can’, the motto of most Russians was ‘buy it with as many luxury additions as you can’”, Pehlivanov said. What Russian clients were most interested in were spacious apartments with separate bedrooms and big living rooms. “They intended on having their property close to the sea as possible,” he said. Russian customers had high social status in their home country, and simply wanted to maintain it abroad without arguing much about the price. “This behaviour is something of a chain reaction and it is difficult to say how long it would to continue,” Pehlivanov said. At the end of the summer, GLPD described the profile of people who wanted to rent an apartment . “This segment was nothing new to Westerners, but the new trend this year was the Bulgarians, the Polish and the Czechs.” Winter resorts were another subject. “In the past few months there was an evident slowdown in this segment but I expect things to change in October, with prices 10 per cent higher than the current ones,” Pehlivanov said. So, if someone wanted to buy a real estate property in Bansko, for example now, would be the appropriate time. According to Pehlivanov, close to 50 per cent of the deals in the segment were done on line, with 40 per cent of the buyers looking for additional income. The profit from these deals was expected to be maintained at the same level as last year, seven per cent, despite the fact that the past winter was extremely warm. Investors continued to face the usual problems: a lack of proper infrastructure and good services. This continued to keep Bulgarian on the map for companies that wanted to offer their customers cheap properties. These problems, however, could be solved in the future as long as there was one major investor in each region who wanted to promote the area and benefit from it. Source: sofiaecho.bg http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/The-next-mountain-spot-in-Bulgaria/1625.html http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Third-victim-of-the-fire-in-Bansko-spa-dies/1626.html Macedonia, Strumica, 16:48 Another person died from the injuries received in the large fire that happened Sunday in the Institution for Health Protection of Children and Youth in the spa "Bansko", which increased the death toll to three persons. Zlatko Petkoski (23), protégé of the Bansko institution, died late Wednesday on the way from the Institution to the Strumica hospital, A1 Television reported. Petkoski was hospitalized with seven other injured in the fire, in which Dragan Stoilkov (11) from Vinica and Bajram Memish (8) from Skopje died on Sunday. According to doctors' statements, Petkovski had the best health condition among the injured, without buns and cardiovascular or respiratory problems from the fire. On Monday, Petkoski was discharged from the hospital, and was returned the next day, after his health condition worsened. Upon his own wish and after medical examinations performed, Petkovski on Wednesday was discharged from the hospital again and returned to the Institution. Several hours later, his condition worsened and he died on the way to the hospital. The cause for Petkoski's death will be known after the post-mortem medical examination. Zlatko Petkoski, from the village of Zapolozani near Prilep, was admitted to the Bansko institution nine years ago with severe dystrophy diagnosed.Source: http://www.makfax.com.mk/l http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Strumica-observes-day-of-mourning/1627.html The Municipality of Strumica today observes a day of mourning over the death of two minors in rehabilitation center in Bansko. Dragan Stoilkov from Vinica and Bajram Memish from Skopje died in a blaze that broke out last weekend at the rehabilitation center. The employees at the Center staged a ceremony in commemoration of two victims of deadly fire. They placed wreaths and lit candles at the entrance of the facility. The investigation into the fire is ongoing and the initial results are to be released today. Unofficial reports say the fire was probably caused by a spark of electric wiring in one of the rooms of the old facility. /end/http://www.makfax.com.mk/, Strumica http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/HOLIDAY-COMPLEXES-ALONG-BULGARIAS-BLACK-SEA-COAST-KEEP-ATTRACTING-INVESTORS/1628.html The interest in holiday complexes along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast increased 3 to 5 times compared to 2006, Nikolai Pehlivanov, owner Green Life Property Development, said. Real estate prices along the southern coast increased by an average of 18 per cent on annual basis, despite the prognosis of trade decline and reports of foreign investors’ withdrawing, Focus news agency said. Holiday properties in the winter resorts were the most expensive in the country. In the Bansko and Pamporovo mountain resorts prices reached 1200 to 1300 euro per sq m. In the summer resorts real estate was sold at 1000 euro per sq m, Pehlivanov said. The difference in the prices results  from the more expensive construction in the winter resorts. The property developments there were more luxurious too. The property market in Bulgaria was risky for investors. They would have to select the plot, determine their buyers’ target group and be flexible and able to change the developments for different target groups, Pehlivanov also said. http://www.sofiaecho.com/ http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/New-website-highlights-opportunities-to-buy-property-in-one-of-Europes-fastest-growing-housing-markets/1629.html ThinkBulgarianProperty.com, BULGARIA—Real Estate investors seeking strong and rapid returns and homebuyers looking for the good life at a good price are both finding what they need at a new website that connects them with exceptional property offerings in one of the European Union’s newest member states. At the same time, www.thinkbulgarianproperty.com walks prospective buyers through the process of buying Bulgarian property and gives them the information and resources they need to find the right deal at the right price, according to Craig Armstrong, the site’s founder. Bulgarian property is the most affordable real estate in Europe, he said. And the country’s January 2007 entry into the EU has put it in the international spotlight for savvy investors. Those two factors mean that Bulgarian property offers a combination of low cost and high potential returns, he pointed out. Prices for Bulgarian property start at less than 30,000 Euro for studio apartments in complexes featuring a full range of amenities, from fitness rooms and swimming pools, to saunas and spectacular views. “Many people are now trooping to invest in this wonderfully beautiful country, where they can see returns of 30 percent each year. Others are drawn to Bulgarian property by the chance to buy a vacation or retirement home at the seaside or in the mountains for a fraction of what they would pay elsewhere,” Craig said. At www.thinkbulgarianproperty.com, potential investors will find a wide range of development properties that have been thoroughly vetted for building quality, and that meet all legal requirements, he added. The property listings include developments in such popular Bulgarian destinations as Sofia, Varna, Bansko, the Black Sea Coast and Sunny Beach. The listings are just one feature of the site, which also offers extensive information about the country, and about trends in Bulgarian property values. In addition, the website offers such features as a free “Investors Club.” The Investors Club allows people to track selected properties, receive notifications about new developments and investment opportunities, contact agents directly, and gain access to an exclusive set of investment tools. Investors Club members also receive exclusive Investment Guides packed with information about buying and profiting from Bulgarian property. All of the features are free, by logging on to www.thinkbulgarianproperty.com About This Release If you have any questions regarding information in these press releases please contact the organization listed in the press release. Issuers of press releases and not PR Leap are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content. http://www.prleap.com/ http://www.em-stroy.com/en/construction-news/строителство/нови-сгради/Bulgaria-housing-prices-rally-still-going-strong/1511.html Data coming out of the Bulgarian realty agencies is not yet backing up the overheating warnings sounded off by Western analysts in their latest overviews of the Eastern European property market and the downward price correction that has been widely forecast. Feedback from real estate agencies polled by Dnevnik suggest quite the contrary: prices are rising across all property market segments albeit slower than in the recent past. The national statistical authority reported a 15% gain in residential prices for the first half of 2007. In an overview of the Sofia residential market released Tuesday by realty consultancy Colliers International, the company reported a price growth of around 20% for some of the prime locations. Colliers said the average asking sales prices in emerging neighborhoods in the southern part of Sofia are edging towards the 1,000 euro/sq m mark. The more established areas such as Doctor’s Garden, Ivan Vazov and Lozenets saw solid double digit growth levels in the first half of 2007 with an increase in average asking sales prices of 19%, 11% and 19% respectively, said Colliers. After a decrease in second half of 2006, Doctor's Garden compensated in 2007 and is now just below 2,000 euro/sq m. Iztok saw an impressive 51% increase in average asking sales prices year-on-year by the end of June 2007. The supply of residential properties continues to increase at a steady pace, and the focus remains on planned communities and compound developments. This type of construction is mainly located in Malinova Dolina, Kambanite, Simeonovo, Dragalevtzi and Krastova Vada, but due to increasing land prices, new supply of housing compounds is moving further away from the city, said Colliers. The price rally is not losing any steam, said Tihomir Tsakov, owner of the Aristo real estate agency. He expects no decrease in domestic property prices over the next 3-4 years. Only certain niches like the holiday homes in overdeveloped resorts are vulnerable to a price pullback, said Tsakov. Elsewhere, holiday homes will remain steady at 1,000-1,300 euro/sq m. Sales to property buyers from the former Soviet republics have doubled so far in 2007 in comparison with last year, said Elena Kogan from the Domika real estate agency. In addition to Russians, nationals from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine are also buying second homes in Bulgaria. They prefer one- or two-room beachfront apartments, paying around 100,000-120,000 euro per unit.(Dnevnik) Source: Dnevnik