November 2008

Overall, the report clearly showed Albania was making excellent progress in many areas to bring the country up to EU standards. The economy was a major focus, and the report showed that the Albanian economy experienced strong growth despite the severe drought in summer 2007.

There were some areas still lagging, with a major focus on corruption, which is similar to the reports when Bulgaria and Romania were applying.

Here are some of the EC Progress Report positive highlights:

• Albania has received EUR70.7 million pre-accession funding
• A new Visa Agreement from January 2008 is simplifying and freeing up Albanians ability to travel
• For the upcoming elections, preparations for organising ID cards, voters lists and biometric passports was completed in September 2008.
• A cross-cutting anti-corruption strategy for 2007 – 2013, with action plan, was adopted in October 2008.

Albania’s neighbours update

• Visa-free entry to Macedonia
• New Montenegro border crossing point under construction at Muriqan/ Sokobine.
• Bosnia has decided to open an embassy in Tirana
• Good relations with Croatia, Serbia and Turkey
• Albania has recognised Kosovo as independent

Economy Update

· Growth was 6%, the highest since 2002.

· Italy is Albania’s main political and economic partner, followed by Greece.

· Labour market conditions have improved and registered unemployment is down from 13.4% to 13%

· Wages in the public sector increased by 17.1% on average.

· Public Enterprises were mainly services and the agricultural sector

· Privatisation

o 85% stake in ARMO Oil Refinery was approved

o 76% of shares in KESH

o 12.6% share of AMC

o Majority of insurance company INSIG

· The government simplified the business registration procedures significantly

· There are now 16 banks in Albania and profit rates of banks remained relatively strong. Banks continued to widen their range of lending products and increase the number or regional offices.

· Construction of the Vlora thermal power plant is in progress. Albania has signed 25 concession agreements for construction of small hydro-power plants, and a further 87 proposals are under evaluation.

20 November 2008

This week, we are excited to announce the opening of our new real estate office on Rruga Sami Frasheri in Blloku in Tirana.  The office is located in the city centre in the prime business and social district.

Fresh Property Albania new real estate office in Tirana

The office will provide on-going support to clients of Fresh Property Co who have bought off plan investment property, as well as regular sales for existing properties, long term lettings and holiday lettings for locals and tourists.

For more information on Fresh Property Albania, please visit – www.freshpropertyalbania.com

Or to view our current Albania property please click here – http://freshpropertyco.com/property-albania-argentina-brazil/albania-property-for-sale/

Privilege Residences Brazil: Amazing City Buy-to-Let Investment

12 November 2008

Fresh Property Co are excited to offer property investors the chance to invest in a new luxury off plan development located in an amazing location in Niteroi only 8 miles from downtown Rio de Janeiro.

Privilege Residences will be constructed with the highest standards, facilities and quality at amazing first-releases prices from R$245,500 (approx £70,240).   Comparable apartments in London would be 10 times higher in price.

Luxurious 2, 3 and 4 bed apartments are available, all with ensuites to master bedrooms, balconies and parking spaces.

The development will have 3 tower blocks with 11 floors each, giving a total of 194 apartments.  The project has a modern architecture and will be constructed by one of the largest and most reputable developers in Brazil, who have previously completed over 950 projects.  Privilege Residences will be completed by the end of 2009/ early 2010.

The facilities of the development will be 5 star and include an adult’s swimming pool, children’s swimming pool, lounge deck, bar, playgrounds, kiosks with BBQs, games room with living space, party and events room, restaurant, and spa centre.

Niteroi, with a population of nearly 500,000, is a modern city only 25 minutes drive to the centre of Rio de Janeiro.   It is the second richest city in Rio de Janeiro State and is home to many beautiful beaches, a historic fort and a world-class museum.  Niteroi is currently undergoing a period of rapid urban growth and the mayor has developed a twenty-year comprehensive plan that will help create a sustainable economy.

Property prices in the area have been consistently rising. Also considering the sustainable growth and stability of the Brazilian economy, prices will continue to rise and some estate agencies forecast capital growth of up to 25% in the next 12 months.

Find out more about Privilege Residences Niteroi at http://freshpropertyco.com/privilege-residences-rio-de-janeiro-brazil/.

http://www.prlog.org/10143488-brazil-amazing-city-buy-to-let-investment-property.html

As the US economy limps along and credit woes continue to plague the Housing market, the Albanian investment property could be the world’s best-kept-secret for investors.

Sitting on the southwest corner of the Balkan Peninsula, Albania is considered the last untapped emerging market in Europe. With a developing economy and a government that has been elected on a platform of cleaning up corruption and growing the economy, expectations are high for Albania real estate invesment.

Though mostly mountainous, Albania is flat along its border with the Adriatic Sea. Winters are cool. Summers are hot and dry. And with over 200 miles of pristine, sandy beaches, Albania remains one of the last havens yet to be discovered by investors.

The inflation rate in Albania is stable and low. And Albanian exports continue to rise as 90% of exports are designated for the European Union. Capital growth has been 20-25% in recent years and is expected to climb as high as 30% this year.

Real Estate prices in neighboring Croatia and Montenegro are 75% higher than in Albania though few expect such a discrepancy to continue indefinitely. Such a situation creates a perfect window of opportunity for investors seeking great returns with minimal investment.

Prices on Albanian property range from 450 euros per square meter in the capital city of Tirana (the cheapest in any capital city in Europe) to 650 euros per square meter in the coastal area. In addition, mortgages are available to 80% for non-resident investors.

Imagine purchasing a property in one of the most beautiful locations in the world for about 25,000 euros, earning a conservative 7% rental yield, and capital growth up to an expected 20%!

No foreign restrictions on buying, no purchase tax, no inheritance tax, wage growth for the area of approximately 10% annually, a democratically elected and stable government, and well as the ability for personal investment (as opposed to corporate) all combine to make Albania one of the most lucrative investments in an otherwise struggling economy.

Albania, though the quietest of the states to emerge from Communist control to a free and independently elected government, is fast becoming an expanding influence in Europe and the world.

Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in a thriving Albanian property market.