For the fourth consecutive year, from October 10 to 12, the Balkan Property Exhibition (BalPex) will become a special venue for investors, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, consultants, advertising and real estate agencies from Bulgaria and abroad to expose new projects and attempt to generate business.

The exhibition takes place at the Inter Expo and Congress Center at 147 Tsarigradsko Chaussee in Sofia. Spread over 4000 sq m, more than 150 exhibitors will present 300 projects related to different segments of the construction sector. Within the context of nearly 40 proposed new developments the event will discuss important issues such as whether Bulgaria and other Balkan countries can be spared from the advancing global financial crisis. In particular, how does Bulgaria best prepare for the real estate market's pending stagnation, predicted by many experts?

Traditionally, the residential property sector receives the most attention from visitors and clients, considering that it represents more than 50 per cent of projects on offer. But organisers said that the number of large-scale business projects such as office buildings, commercial and logistics centres was rapidly increasing.

Winslow Developments Ltd will present two new projects for the first time. The company was established in 2001 by a British-Bulgarian partnership. It has a London office but also offices in Sofia and Bansko because its main interest lies in Bulgaria. One of the projects features a gated community residential complex in the Sofia borough of Vitosha, called Winslow Homes. The other is Winslow Gardens, a 444-apartment development at the foot of the mountain.

The developer is exhibiting at BalPex for the fourth time. Its marketing specialist Valentin Kolev told The Sofia Echo that previous participation had seen increased sales although he was rather sceptical about this year's edition. He said that the event needed to attract more private investors and not confine itself to merely nurturing business-to-business relations. Petko Zlatev, sales director at the Exterior Design Ltd, told The Sofia Echo that his company was exhibiting at BalPex for the first time. "I expect our participation to be productive as far as business deals go. I'm sure that we will find some new clients, because of the quality of the product we offer," he said.

Zlatev explained that being a construction-investment company, Exterior Design Ltd offers a full range of construction services and advices. At the BalPex, however, the company will display samples of luxurious facades, which it imports at a better price and on which it offers finishing. "More and more Bulgarians seem interested in luxurious materials and design, so I'm certain that the expo will be quite successful for us," Zlatev said.

The company also has a property development in the Ovcha Koupel borough in Sofia. Zlatev said that all flats in the building have been sold, so presentation at the expo was not necessary. For the first time, visitors will see the residential gated property complex of Zelenika in Sofia as well as Residencia Botanica and the Prestige complex in Boyana. Pravets Golf and Spa Club near the city of Pravets, featuring a golf course, hotel and other property, will also have its premiere at BalREc.

"It is hard to judge whether participation in the BalPex will have immediate results," Galina Raicheva, office manager at the consulting and advertising company Milenium Estate Ltd., told The Sofia Echo. The company will also present one of its developments, Casa Milenium apart-house in the Black Sea town of Obzor. "I think the expo helps primarily in networking and in gathering information about potential partners. Actual results from the participation can only be measured nine months later," Raicheva said.

For the first time, within the BalPex frame there will be a pavilion with a Russian exhibition. This will debate the theme of Russia and Bulgaria: new perspectives for partnership.

Visiting BalPex, many potential clients could find another possibility for financing or loan hunting for purchasing of property. Various financial institutions are expected to present promotional offers for small and medium businesses. Organisers hope that more than eight thousand visitors will pass through the exhibition halls over its three day duration.