Governments rally as Tropical Storm scythes
through global financial markets

The mood at the Expo Real fair in Munich this week was respectfully muted as the shockwaves across the global economy continued to rumble and the depth of the impact on the commercial real estate sector began to crystallize.

With the financial sector casualties piling up and stock markets plunging, governments across the world took emergency action on interest rates, announced rescue packages for troubled banks and attempted to reignite inter-banking trust - and business confidence - by guaranteeing savings and short term borrowing. However, the International Monetary Fund made its bleakest statement yet, saying the world was entering a major downturn in the face of "the most dangerous shock... since the 1930s."

Will a solution be found quickly enough, or is there much more to come?

What are the implications for local as well as international companies active in the CEE property sector?

Some experts say that emerging markets will feel the strain a little later than the primary markets and the CEE markets may be advantaged by lower leverage levels and fundamental economic catch-up, while some argue that with international investment and finance under the kosh there is no escape. Financial Times Bureau Chief for Prague and Warsaw Jan Cienksi says the CEE markets are so far holding up, but for how much longer?

What can we do to prepare, or minimise the damage? Are there aspects to this economic storm that may benefit some areas of the market? Is there something else we should know?

Produced in association with the Financial Times and key regional business media, CEE Insight Forum IV: TROPICAL STORM (Budapest, 22nd October) will undoubtedly be a "Where were you when...?" moment, an event that formed an important bridge between the recent growth surge and troubled waters ahead through informed discussion and debate by some of the region's top experts.

We are bringing together the 'A-team' of the Central & Eastern European real estate sector to dig deep into this issue and understand the present and future implications, together with regional International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Christoph Rosenberg, Financial Times correspondent Thomas Escritt and an actively participating audience.
Don't miss TROPICAL STORM: Global economic turbulence and the CEE property markets.
For a full list of presenters and panelist sand the event itinerary visit Forum Itinerary & Speakers, to reserve tickets go to Book Tickets.

Tropical Storm, Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal

9.00-14.30, 22nd October 2008 (including luncheon mixer)

Hot on the heels of the credit crunch a wave of wider economic and political turbulence is testing the nerve of property investors and financiers everywhere and making life harder for developers as costs and cap rates rise, liquidity falls, currencies bounce, stocks stumble, and retail sales and GDP forecasts tumble. Is the worst over or is there more to come, and what are the likely long term repercussions? Some argue that residual economic catch up coupled with lower leverage levels and strengthening local currencies may buffer the CEE markets from the worst ravages of the storm compared with elsewhere - in fact there could even be upside in some areas. What do the experts think, and how are the leading companies responding?