There has been a decline in the level of investment flowing into the Romanian commercial property sector in 2011.

Head of valuations and consulting at DTZ Echinox Bogdan Sergentu explained the amount of money invested in Romanian real estate dropped by 13 per cent in 2011, compared to the previous year.

Bucharest was the main target for those seeking such assets in the country, with developments in the city accounting for six out of the 13 transactions completed last year.

Mr Sergentu added 69 per cent of the total investment volume for 2011 was spent on mixed-use developments, despite a greater number of deals being agreed in the retail sector.

However, it appears the new year has started well for the nation’s commercial real estate sector, with Romania Business Insider reporting this week (February 2nd) that New Europe Property Investment - a South African-based fund - has purchased the City Business Center in Timisoara.

The complex comprises three office buildings, with two more premises still to be constructed.

Managing director for Jones Lang LaSalle in Romania Troy Javaher explained it is the "first major institutional office transaction outside Bucharest".

There is reason to be optimistic about the future performance of commercial real estate assets in South Africa.

This is according to Malcolm Horne, chief executive officer of Broll Property Group, who is confident demand for properties to rent in the nation will pick up, thereby reducing the amount of vacant space on the market.

A yearly report published by the company predicted income from commercial properties in South Africa will rise, while capitalisation rates will become steadier.

Speaking to SA Commercial Prop News, he commented: "The South African property fundamentals remain strong, landlords and tenants have become more educated about the costs involved and the pressure is on all to find effective means to reduce operating costs."

Last month, head of capital markets at Jones Lang LaSalle South Africa Andrew Bradford asserted investors in the nation are better off purchasing existing buildings, rather than ploughing their money into new developments.

He explained expenses associated with established assets are usually considerably lower than with new builds, while there is also less hassle and more predictability over a deal’s timeline when opting for finished projects.