Overview

 

Hungary may once have been the champion of economic reform, but it gradually lost this position over the course of the last several years. But while the country continues to suffer from serious fiscal and economic difficulties, it now has plenty of company as there's no shortage of countries facing negative GDP growth and balance of trade deficits.

From a property perspective, what this has meant for Hungary is that prices for real estate are falling. That's no different than it is elsewhere, the problem being that Hungary was already being seen as an investment risk a couple of years ago. For this and other reasons, the country stands at a true crossroads, as the decisions investors begin making over the coming months will set the tone for Hungary for many years to come.

These are the underlying issues that form the core topics to be considered at CED-Invest 2009. It begins with a debate about valuations, which has emerged as one of the most confusing dilemmas facing all property markets hit by the crisis. This will then be followed by a discussion of the current economic turmoil and a panel focusing on the new situation for developers and investors seeking financing. Finally, CED-Invest turns its attention to what private sector players and public officials think should be done to enable Budapest to improve its standing in the eyes of investors and major employers. There's still ample time to get involved with CED-Invest, whether as a speaker, sponsor or participant.