Romania Monthly Report on Real Estate Market and Investment Opportunities

Investment Update from Transylvania

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:55:28 +0300

On July 4th of this year, Count's Challenge Interactive Theme Park opened it's gates becoming the first realized theme park investment in Romania.
The theme park is situated on over 7500 sm2 of prime location land behind Bran ''Dracula's'' Castle on the grounds known as The Count's Estate where a legendary Transylvanian count is believed to have had a citadel and was lated buried.
Realization of the theme park was a labour of love and tireless commitment of a team of dedicated individuals. In several short months, under the experienced guidance of Historica Germany, the crew turned this:

.....into this:

Ever since then the age old maxim has been proven true "If you build it, they will come":

Tourists enter the Theme Park on the day of the 1,000th visitor.

We'd like to thank the investors who partnered with us in the realization of Romania's first interactive theme park and the world's first authentic legendary Transylvania tourist destination.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to invest investors who may have missed out on the opportunity to take advantage of our revised offer. You still have the opportunity to own at the Count's Estate and Count's Challenge Park.
Interested investors are requested to contact us.

OWN AN APARTMENT ON THE FRONT LINE OF THE BLACK SEA

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 15:42:27 +0300

Where will you be spending this summer? Perhaps a week or month or more at the seaside? Tired of Turkey, Bored of Bulgaria? How about at your own apartment on the Romanian Riviera?
For less then 5000 Euro, that's five-thousand Euro, you could move in next week! The Developer of the Sun Garden complex is offering two move-in ready apartments with circa 10% down in an else wise sold out building with an interest free builder-provided mortgage in-place for which you no pre-approval is required. What's more the rental income from your apartment will go towards the rent!
Sun Garden has already been operating successfully as a hotel with over 100% occupancy in summer months. The management team is already in place and experienced. Here is the deal: 1. Apartment A1 which is 1 bedroom (1 big room and 1 small room + bathroom + balcony + parking + share of all spaces/facilities in the complex). The size is 66.32 sqms build surface including both inside apartment + share of all facilities. Selling price is 64500 EURO inclusive of all taxes. In the price is included the 2000 EURO furniture package + parking space (19.5 sqms!). Deal : Advance of 7000 EURO. Followed by monthly payments of 2500 EURO at 0% for 23 months. No interest at all and the owner can rent the apartment. All rents achieved will be used against the balance owed. 2. Apartment A5 which is a studio apartment similar in size and type like yours A7 and A8. Size of A5 is 41.2 sqms build surface which is composed of inside apartment + share of all facilities. Selling price is 49950 EURO inclusive of all taxes. In the price is included the 1950 EURO furniture package + parking space (19.5 sqms!). Deal : Advance of 4950 EURO. Followed by monthly payments of 2500 EURO at 0% for 18 months. No interest at all and the owner can rent the apartment. All rents achieved will be used against the balance owed. This is your chance to own a seaside apartment this summer! Contact us immediately if you are interested in purchasing one of these two units. The Developer has also announced to us an off-plan opportunity in his new Sea View complex built on the FRONT LINE of the BLACK SEA next to a new yachting marina and community beach.
Check out these pictures:
Construction is already under way and the Developer is making a strong offer to pre-sell units. Remember, this is the same Developer who already built and operates an aparthotel in the same resort town. All studio units in the complex are ALREADY SOLD OUT. Where tourism and real estate meets are where profit is to be found! Don't miss being one step ahead of the curve...again in Romania.... take advantage of this offer and SEE YOU AT THE BEACH! Contact info@romaniareport.com OR Razvan Satnoianu and colleagues (004) 0730031441 and be sure to mention ROMANIA REPORT for a special discount.

Own the Transylvania Brand Today!

info@romaniareport.com — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:34:50 +0200

The following is a sponsored announcement to Romania Report subscribers:

OWN THE TRANSYLVANIA BRAND
A small investment in real estate can bring frighteningly good returns AND TAP INTO A $60 million a year proven revenue stream *
Did you know:
- Castle Bran aka Dracula's Castle was listed by Forbes Magazine as the second most expensive piece of real estate in the world?
- Dracula has been featured in more feature films then almost any other legendary character and top tv series and books feature Transylvanian vampires? Transylvania is a very powerful, proven brand.
- Dracula's Castle brings to related businesses $60 million USD a year. Here's why this matters to YOU: - You can tap into the $60 million a year revenue stream for as little as $13,000 (10,000 Euro)
- You can expect MONSTROUS returns because despite it's immense popularity Dracula's Castle focuses on the story of an unrelated royal family and of the little tourists attractions (those that exist are very profitable) that surround the Castle none exploit the myth. (But merchants know why the tourists came -- they sell groves of t-shirts and other souvenirs of Dracula and zero, nip, nada of the royal family.)
This type of situation would never exist in Western Europe or North America. - You can own the famous land behind Dracula's Castle where intending invaders began their seize and due to it's immediate proximity new invaders,TOURISTS, will soon be invading as we open a brand new legend-oriented THEME PARK.
Here is how it works: - Most investments start at 20,000 Euro but we have several investment positions at 10,000 Euro. - For your investment, you own a pro-rationed portion of the land underneath the theme park, which due to economic times you buy at the same purchase price the original owner paid. This means your investment is backed up by land. - Your land ownership is registered at the notary and in the land registry providing you 100% freehold of the land. - At signing you also receive a notarized contract, as a new land owner, with the theme park, which guarantees you a pro-rated share of the theme park profits on a quarterly basis.
- According to our calculations,available in our full PDF guide, investments are paid off within one year in our likely worst-case scenario, leaving you in a year with both land ownership and your money back and in our other scenarios with an immediate profit. This is possible due to the high tourism figures brought by the Castle and the undeveloped, untapped status of the local tourism market.
We will be the first legend-oriented Transylvania entertainment option in all of Transylvania! - Buyback guarantee. If our calculations are significantly off you can opt for a buyback guarantee significantly limiting your risk. This includes a 3 year 30% ROI -- giving credence to our confidence in financial scenarios.
This opportunity exists due to the theme park developers need to free up already invested liquidity. Hence investors are able to partner with the developer at the same price point he has invested and evenly share profits.
This is one of those rare economic situation created opportunities. The theme park will launch June 2009
. All investors must be in by March 15, 2009.
For a full prospectus, please writeinfo@romaniareport.com, subject 'theme park' .
Thank you , The Count's Challenge Theme Park and Adventure

Romania Report 2008: Insider’s Guide

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:11:20 +0300

The new Romania Report 2008 is finally out! Did you know that investments in the first quarter 2008 were 35.2 % higher then in the same period last year and the second highest ever for the same quarter? This year’s report shocks and dazzles with hard facts and insider observations that show those in-the-know are banking on Romania in 2008 as real estate markets elsewhere in the world continue to suffer a downturn. Make sure you request your free copy of Romania Report 2008:Insider’s Guide today athttp://www.romaniareport.com/property_in_romania_investment_guide.html

Special update : The Next Big Property Boom in Romania 2007

info@romaniareport.com — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:14:50 +0200

Dear Property Investor ,
The next big property boom is about to happen. The question is where will you be?
Do you remember where you were in 2003 when the property boom began in Bucharest? How about in 2005 in Brasov? If you were investing in these locales at the time then you certainly remember because odds are you made a huge, incredible, magnificent profit.
If you missed the past property market booms, you may feel like you are left picking up the scraps. Let's face it. No one wants leftovers. Why settle?
There is no way to go back in time and the good news is, there is no need too. All of the elements of the next big property boom are in place.
The region that will be hit next will also have one city as where the "epicenter" of the property market boom will occur. This city is by most accounts Romania's second most populous. It possesses a large free trade zone and is located along major commercial trade routes and the border between the EU and the CIS (former Soviet Union). Contrary to popular belief among incorrectly informed Romanians from other regions, the city is relatively wealthy and one of the most pleasant and architecturally unique cities in Romania. Powered by a large qualified workforce created by local Universities (this city has more students then any other Romanian city including foreign students from places like Italy and Greece ) this city has also become Romania's hi-tech capitol with companies like Amazon.Com and IBM opening up shop here in a major way. Combined with all the multi-national companies taking advantage of the strategic global location and free trade zone, an increasing number of good-paying jobs have increased the buying power of local residents significantly. In fact an European Union commission study stated that this region had the highest economic growth in the entire EU and EU candidate area in 2006.
Like in the rest of Romania, the EU ascension, build-up to Romania's entry in the Euro zone, the introduction of mortgage and other motivating factors are causing property price values to go up. The difference is that this area has yet to catch up with other major Romanian cities in terms of property values.
The hi-tech companies have only recently come on to the scene. The influx of multi-national companies have only recently moved here -after EU ascension was assured. It was only last year when most of the economic growth occurred, as evidenced by the European Commission study. 2007 will be the year that this growth will have it's impact on the market together with the impact of EU membership.
There is no other city in Romania where hi-tech companies and multi-nationals are coming in groves for the first time. There is no other city where such a price correction between old prices and EU city prices needs to occur and is showing strong and compelling signs of doing so.
More then a half dozen major new residential complexes will began to come into completion this year. They are the first new major residential complexes in the city. The first new luxury apartment building complex is about to be realized. It will be the only luxury complex in a city that has more new Mercedes, BMW, and even Lamborghini cars then most cities in Germany. It's the only alternative for Western middle management for companies like IBM, Carrefour, and international import-exporters. 160 units in a city of nearly 1 million. After groundbreaking, the first building is nearly completely sold out. The prices are half that for luxury complex in Bucharest.
Now imagine what will happen when the first blocks come on the market. If another luxury development comes into play, it's going to be a year or more a way. If you owned one of the first 80 luxury apartments in a city of nearly 1 million with more Mercedes cars than Bucharest, how long do you think it will take for your property value to go up?
Alternatively, if you invest luxury in a city like Bucharest with thousands of luxury units and less Mercedes cars and an entry price twice as high....do you honestly think you can make a similar profit?
Now you could invest budget, but you would be missing one of the clear and established lessons in Romanian real estate and from past property market booms: luxury accelerates in price first and does so most dramatically. The wealthy class in Romania, frankly don't care about the price, they want to be at the in-location, to be one of the select few, to have what others wish that they had. So when a few lone luxury apartments in the lone luxury complex in the city come into play and they are ready and being lived in, and the supply is limited, the asking price for available units will skyrocket.
There are other investments you should consider in Romania but none that you should consider instead of this one.
Romania Report is working with an established and well revered developer with many successful projects behind their belts. They've created excellent terms for investors to invest in what we believe is the smartest fashion in the next big property market boom location. We have also located mortgage opportunities for this deal. The terms are not perfect and the mortgage is only available on finished product, but nonetheless presents investors another financing opportunity.
To sign-up at info@romaniareport.com or at http://www.romaniareport.com/contact.html to receive our full guide and our regular e-mail series Tracking the Next Big Property Boom in Romania, contact us here. The first 10 individuals to reserve will secure a 5% discount off of the purchase price of a luxury apartment unit.

Romania's Date with Destiny: XA Comprehensive Look at Romania after EU Acension

info@romaniareport.com — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 23:49:28 +0200

This report may be viewed in it's entirety or according to theme:
1) Waking Up in the European Union 2) Investment Report for 2007 3) Americanism in new EU member country Romania 4) Closing words.
1.Waking Up in the European Union Can a world of change really happen in an instant? Can you go to bed in one era of history and wake up in the morning in another?
Sounds somewhat like
a fairy tale, but that's exactly what happened in Romania between December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2007.
As I woke up early in the morning on New Year's Day and went for my morning cup of coffee I noted for the first time the European Union flag flying side by side next to the Romanian flag on the street below. As I walked outside of my home, I was stopped by a police officer who handed me a pamphlet entitled "Welcome to the European Union." Things seemed different but perhaps only at surface-level. I pondered this as I approached the cafe where I was to meet a friend of mine. As a non-smoker in a country of what often seems to be chain smokers, I prepared myself for the brutal assault on my lungs that was about to occur but never did. Previously an enveloping cloud of smoke, the air was now clean and the ashtray missing here -- smoking was now prohibited in most public places in Romania. It seemed as quickly as the date changed, so did to an incredible extent, the mentality of the people. Having suffered from what seemed to be an inferiority complex by being citizens of a developing Eastern European nation, with the passing of the night it was apparent that they had taken on a new self-esteem and confidence as European Union citizens in the EU's now 7th largest superstate. This monumental paradigm shift that may have taken a generation to accomplish else wise was brought about in an instant by a major historical event with an undeniable transforming power. Romania's historic ascension into the European Union has brought about societal change on a number of levels. For the average reader of this article, it is impossible to understand the immensity of what has happened. Perhaps those readers old enough to remember Hawaii or Alaska joining the other union, the United States or those that lived through the ascension of there country into the EU can understand the full ramifications of such a powerful event.
The dramatic impact of EU integration has not only social ramifications but economical ones.
The average salary in Romania is now close to 500 Euro a month, more then twice what it was a short time ago and credit is now much more readily available with reasonable interest rates. As many Romanians own there own homes from Communist times and property prices have swelled, Romanian's are moving up to newer and more luxurious apartments and residential housing units - giving birth to a new mega suburbia.
Investment is pouring in. Romania's has benefited from the highest foreign direct investment in Central and Eastern Europe in the past year leading to a number of ambitious new projects.
What does all of this add up too? Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for ready investors.
Real estate prices have risen as much as 100 percent in the eight former communist states that joined the EU in 2004, driven by buyers from Western Europe . That's a tremendous profit for just 2 years time. Many independent analysts predict that Romania will surpass all EU ascension countries in terms of profitability. Herbert Stepic, chief executive of Raiffeisen International Bank, believes price will continue to rise until they reach Western European standards."I see no signs of a bubble," Stepic said.Indeed, in other EU accession countries, prices continue to accelerate.In the Budapest city center, prices are expected to jump 15 percent this year.
In Warsaw, the city's most expensive apartment building, called the Belvedere Residence, is sold out, though work is still under way. Unfinished penthouses were being sold this year for 21,000 zloty, or $6,903, a square meter.
Contrast that with Bucharest where prices for ultra luxury developments are still in the two thousands. The profitability of the market is far from tapped. For a list of off-plan opportunities, click here.
http://www.romaniareport.com/buying_off_plan_in_romania.html
"The sky is the limit," stated one developer.
But the question is how do you profit from all the activity? The rule of thumb for investors this year in Bucharest should be to consider only new properties offered at below current market value prices. Some exceptions to this rule may exist, including well positioned luxury units poised for additional significant property value growth.
However, the real attraction to Bucharest is it's massive middle-class population looking to move up.Tired of old concrete blocks for homes but still able to fetch a hefty amount of cash for them on sale, many Romanians have the financial wherewithal, with the additional help of new introduced and reasonable credit to purchase nicer units in decently priced new buildings. That's why we have been major advocates of the sensationally priced Planorama development which meets all of the criteria above. For details, click here.
http://www.romaniareport.com/buying_off_plan_in_romania.html
The Transylvania region has shown some of the most substantial growth over the past year. There are a few investments, you'll want to consider here but none more so then the following: .....
Keap on reading and visit http://www.romaniareport.com/Romania-Report.html
for the entire report .

Invest in Romania Today, Retire Tomorrow

info@romaniareport.com — Tue, 5 Dec 2006 13:21:33 +0000

If you investment over 10 years in Romania, the rent you receive on your property is predicted to be higher then the actual amount invested and the value of your property is predicted to jump .

According to Channel 4 "20 Best Places to Make Money"

Your investment today, could be worth this much in 10 years

Amount Invested Rental Return Selling Pirce

40,000 E 44,400 205,560

Dear Investor,

Romania's entry into the European Union is barely a month away. What is preventing you from investing today?

Property prices are expected to take a big jump after Romania's acension is official. Some authorities state as much as 30% This is a property value jump based on a historical event. We'd like to give you more time to get on this opportunity, but it is out of our control.

If you are considering investing in Romania, now is the time to decide. We've endorsed a few select properties that are easy-entry investments that we believe offer the full realization of the current market opportunity.

As the editor of this site, I have had numerous offers for properties to promote to you. You won't find most of them anywhere on this site.

I've selected only a choice handul of investment opportunities that are particularly compelling.

I am an American and are team consists of Brits, Americans, and Romanians among others. We all live in Romania. I have lived in Romania since 2000. The property that I am recommending in Bucharest is based on the insight of someone living and investing there for more then half a decade. Not of someone who visited Romania to find a property to offer clients after hearing it has become the next big thing.

The new property that we are launching in the city of Iasi is based insight gathered about markets trends in-country. Last year Brasov showed an average price gain of 212%. We believe the next city to experience major propety value growth is Iasi. I believe it so much, I moved there! I am not sending you anywhere that I am not personally investing. I believe there is still time to get in on this unprecented opportunity.

I believe that Romania is the greatest investment opportunity (period) in the world today. That's why I am here.

The information prepared on this site is designed to educate you on the Romanian market based on our years of experiences in the investment realm here. If you want to go to the next level, please contact us and we will help you meet your personal investment needs.

To your financial success,

Kevin Stillmock, Editor

Romania Report

kevin.stillmock@romaniareport.com

The Romania Report | More to Romania then Bucharest

info@romaniareport.com — Wed, 8 Nov 2006 08:51:08 +0000

Most investors come to Romania and think 'capitol city.' That makes sense and is a smart move...but not the only one. The list usually goes something like this "Bucharest, Brasov, Constanta and maybe Timisoara." Each of these markets are compelling for different and similar reasons. However, I am fond of Robert Frost's words "I went down the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference."

Following the crowd has it's advantages. You'll make money and good money in the cities mentioned above if you invest wisely. These markets however are saturated. I've lived in Romania for a long time. I was telling people to invest in the above cities way back when people looked at me like I was crazy. So now, when I tell investors to broaden there horizons past the classic Romanian cities, they look at me with the same expressions of shock and amazement.

For my money, the biggest opportunity is outside of these regions. Brasov showed 212% growth last year. It's growth again this year will be impressive and likely next year as well but I want somewhere where I can get in relatively cheap and still get the first 212% price jump. I want to maximize my investment money and get in on all the prices jumps possible, not just the ones that remain.

That's why I and Romania Report.Com have moved bases to the city of Iasi, sometimes known in English as Jassy.

If you ask your average Romanian about Iasi or the Moldovian region of Romania they will tell you the same classic one-liner "impoverished, backwards, uninteresting." If you will then ask them if they have ever visited the area they will ensure you "of course not." It almost seems as if the Moldovan region of Romania has the same reputation within Romania as Romania has had to the rest of the outside world. Ironically, that should tell you this is where you should be if you want to be ahead of the curve.

First of all, let me clarify some big lies. Moldova and Iasi in particular is similar in economic well-being to any other area of Romania and showed more economic growth then anywhere in Europe in 2006! Amazon.Com has a major development center here. Jobs exist and a sense of wealth is very prevalent in the city of Iasi. There are two major malls that illustrate this particularly well. Carrefour has identified Iasi as an area of major expansion.

Iasi may well be the cleanest and nicest city in all of Romania. It stands in stark contrast with Bucharest. The air is cleaner, the streets free of dirt or trash and all is in well repair and manicured. Something of a living museum Iasi has more churches per square meter then almost anywhere in Europe, a large palace, a theatre, and is a thriving University town. Every weekend the main road closes for almost two days transforming the nature of this the second largest city by size in Romania into something of a resort on a weekly basis. Surrounding the city are thermal springs, painted monastaries, and rural tourism opportunities.

Best of all, you can easily reach Iasi from anywhere in the world via Vienna.

The rental market here is strong. There are rental agencies everywhere. You'll have no trouble getting an agent to represent your apartment here. It's one of Iasi's biggest businesses. As a student town filled with foreign students from places like Italy and Greece, I couldn't get a hotel room when I came here in late September...they were all filled with students who couldn't find long-term accommodation. Students coming from Western Europe more then adding a cosmopolitan feel to the city have created a dynamic rental market. They have the money to pay a more then fair sum for rent.

Prices are about 20% less for rent here then in Bucharest but purchase prices are significantly more low. It is almost impossible to rent an apartment here without paying 6 to 10 months in advance.

There is a real lack of luxury apartments in the city but plenty of wealthy students looking for it. Not to mention, wealthy Romanians who are home owners outside of the city but are simply bored and would like to have a flat in the city as well -- believe or not, there are a lot of them (in fact so many of them "fitze" that they are somewhat notorious in Romania)

You would be surprised at how far your money will go here and what kind of returns are possible. I've saved the best for my full report. All you have to do is sign-up here and you'll get your copy via e-mail shortly.

The Romania Report | Rebirth of a Roman(ian) Empire

info@romaniareport.com — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 14:09:17 +0000

Click here for PDF version

The history of Romania is shrouded in mystery, myth, and misunderstanding. Few people, including a good deal of Romanians themselves, are aware of the glorious standing of Romania in the Roman Empire and the vision of Romania as a second Rome as held by Roman leaders shortly before the fall of the Roman Empire. Romania’s name itself denotes it’s importance in Roman times. Romania in latin stands for Rome and the Eastern Roman Empire.

Indeed, it is a land unseperatable from it’s legendary past as a highly valued part of the Roman Empire. A visit to almost any history museum in-country gives credence to this through the many artifacts from ancient Roman times excavated here such as busts of Roman leaders and gods, coinage and relics. A visit to the sea will also be a visit to Roman ruins such as those of Histria and coastal towns named after Roman gods like Neptun, Jupiter and Venus. Bucharest, in homage to Rome, is built on 7 hills. Although as early as the mid 19th century Bucharest was described as a "savage hotchpoch," traces of the historical city of Roman days remain.

That Romania was a part of the Roman Empire is not particurarly revealing. Many modern day countries were once part of the Roman Empire, largely due to there geographical location. What’s unique in the case of Romania is the role that it played in the Roman Empire and there vision for it’s future. Why specifically was Romania elevated to such as prestigous position in the most famous empire of all time ? Our brief study of history will reveal the current modern-day potential of Romania and why Romania should be on the forefront of every international investor and relocaters mind.

Ceazar bathed in the hot springs of western Romania known as " Baia Herculane ". Romania is one of the most naturally rich countries on the continent (as will be explored below). In fact, the land known as Romania was a vacation hotspot of the Roman elite. However, it was much much more then that to the ancient Romans.

Romans, like ancient Greeks and others, also came in groves to Romania because of it’s skilled, hard-working laborers. This set the stages for economic growth and increased prosperity in the region. Similarily today international companies, such as Microsoft, are making Romania a major base of operations for much the same reasons.

Let’s flash forward now some 2,000 years into the future. Romania is poised to be the 7th largest superstate in the European Union. That’s larger then Czech Republic, Hungary, or Switzerland. The acension will result in increasing political and spending power. As a soon-to-be member of the EU, Romania will have more clout on global affairs and as wages are forced to increase, 24 million Romanians will have increased budgets for buying everything from household goods to houses, boats, and cars.

Just as the Roman Empire sought Romania to be a member of it’s conglomeration of states so is the modern day European Union, and with good reason.

Romania is conviently located in the center of the "old world." Many Romanians airports are 1-2 hour flights to cities like Istanbul, Kiev, Vienna, Paris, Tel Aviv, and Athens. Take a map and draw a 360 circle from Bucharest and you will see that Romania has a strategic world location.

The country is already becoming a tourist hot spot for Europeans and Middle-Easterns.At the same time, residents of Romania, be they Romanian or expats can take advantage of all the natural beauty of the country or with a quick flight find themselves in diverse locations on the European and Asian continents. Foreign business people can travel between there home country and Romania on what really amounts to a short commuter flight. All of this means foreign influences and investments which results in increased wealth for local citizens and a cosmopolitan flair for the country. 24 million financially empowered individuals means significant spending power. That means businesses will boom and so will real estate. That also means the old reminents of years of failed communism will dissapear soon enough.

Already real estate prices have increased steadily and significantly in recent years, such as in the city of Brasov, which boasted a 212% official increase in the price of real estate last year. Often times vision means not seeing only what is but envisioning what will one day be. Don’t be thrown off by decaying buildings and disgracefully kept train stations. You won’t likely find many of these in Germany or England but neither will find the sheer opportuntity there that you will here. The investor in Romania needs to be a historian as well as a visionary.

Successful investors in Romania are succesful because they see the past, present, and future all in one glimpse. They know what was, what is, and what will be.

In Romania, the maxim is particularly true that " he who hesitates, is lost ."

Now, let us continue our journey into the past and use as it a tool for opening a window to the future :

Metamorphoses – A country undergoing change

Sitting on the riverbank, Pan noticed the bed of reeds was swaying in the wind, making a mournful moaning sound, for the wind had broken the tops of some of the reeds. Pulling the reeds up, Pan cut them into pieces and bound them together to create a musical instrument, which he named "Syrinx", in memory of his lost love. – Ovidiu

The celebrated Roman poet Ovidiu wrote that shortly after his exile to modern day Constanta, Romania by Emperor Augustus. In his poem he describes what many consider to be the origins of the pan flute – later made famous by the Romanian artist Zamphir.

He entitled the poem Metamorphises. In the ancient Roman city of Tomis (now Constanta) Ovidiu wrote a number of his more important works such as Tristia and Epistulae ex Ponto.

The above has little relevance to our study of the connection between the ancients and the modern-day Romania other then serving to set-up our journey to the past to discover the future which will take us frequently to the ancient city of Tomis, modern city of Constanta. No one word describes better what happened, what is happening, and will happen in Romania then the title of the poem wrote here by Ovidiu, “Metamorphoses.”

A City By the Sea

Constanta has been built on and around a promontory of land extending into the Black Sea, which has allowed it to shield ships from the strong winds that blow along the seacoast. Its position may also account for its long history, which is that of a seaport ever since the 6th century B.C.. The foundations of the city were laid in some 2,600 years ago, when Greek colonists built the city of Tomis on its present site.
Ancient Tomis has been associated with the legend of Jason and of the Argonauts who embarked on a long voyage from Greece to the Asian country of Colchis on the Black Sea Coast in search of the Golden Fleece. On their return voyage, they laid anchor on the site on which the town of Tomis was to be later on built. Under the Roman rule, Tomis became a prosperous city, graced with statues, temples and a monumental architecture.

Much of the prosperity of ancient Tomis exist today only in museums and in ruins but now a new prosperity has come to town that may well overshadow the glory days of old.

The new source of prosperity also comes from the decendants of the ancient Greeks and Romans as well the new Roman Empire – the European Union and various other local and foreign forces.

These forces are metamorphizing Romania from a backwards, socialistic country into a nation to be reckoned with. While Western Europe declines in investment potential and opportunity, Romania is the new promised land, where all the streets are seemingly paved with gold.

The results of these forces at work are easily identifiable to anyone who spent time in the country. Seemingly overnight where there were once shambles of old buildings, high-rise office complexes have arisen, where once farms stood, exclusive resedential communities have taken root.

Many streets stand as symbols to the rapid rate of change – old Communist style apartment buildings, turn-of-the-century villas, and modern office and apartment buildings all side-by-side.

It’s not hard to imagine where things are headed. Bucharest’s old historic city center “Lipscani” is today a shadow of it’s former self with many buildings gutted and destroyed. Yet traffic has now been prohibited throughout the entire area and the cobblestoned lanes are witnessing the slow birth of a new hay day for the historical area. Dutch investors with the vision to see what was and what will be made a major investment in the area and opened the restaurant-bar-disco “Amsterdam Grand Cafe” which soon led a number of other predominately foreign investors buying and renovating under-cared for historic buildings and transforming them into night clubs, cafes, and shops. Now the city is promising help in funding for the revitalization of the area and quite potentially in a short-time frame, the Old Historic City Center of Bucharest will be an elite city quarter with fine restaraunts, exclusive shopping, and luxury apartments.

That’s how change has happened, happens, and will happen in Romania. Behold, in the twinkle of an eye, everything changes here at a seemingly supernatural level.

Since 2000 I’ve seen spectacular change here. The kind of change most people in the Western World might see from the time of there birth to say middle-age. Time here moves at supersonic pace. 1 year here can bring about 10 years worth of change and progress as it would occur in more Westernized countries.

Foreign Direct Investment Leads to Growth and Prosperity

It all started when the Greeks began colonizing the Black Sea Shoresin the late 7th century BC, looking for new trading grounds. The business was good, and soon the newly created colonies became large and prosperous settlements.

Although it started as a small, secondary colony, the city of Tomis soon became the most important Greek settlement and the military capital, and centuries later turned into the modern city of Constanta.

That’s the way history records what happened in the now city of Constanta a few thousand years ago. Now here’s how I predict history will record what will happen in this city, as indicitave of any Romanian city, in the near future.

“It all started when the European Union began the process of ascension of Romania in the early 21st century, looking for new trading grounds. The business was good and soon the towns and cities of the newly added member country became large and prosperous settlements.

Although, it suffered years of decay and hardship after war and Communism, the city of Constanta (ancient Tomis) soon became an important sea port and military capitol for foreign (i.e. US) forces and together with the rest of Romania became a prosperous European superstate.”

Is my prediction for how history will read this metamorphism period from Romania far-fetched? Not at all. We are already witnessing history in the making. The EU ascension process has already had significant political and economic implications for Romania. Constanta, our example city, under the direction of an admirable mayor has become a clean, welcoming, and entertaining sea port and beach resort. Foreign tourists come in increasing numbers yearly and more ships (including cruise ships) are using Constanta as a port. The US Military has a major base in the region as it’s a strategic ally relatively near the Middle East. This has caused an influx of American involvement in the area, including marriages between Romanians and Americans at an unusually high rate.

The facts and figures for Romania at large speaks volumes. Romania now has the highest FDI (foreign direct investment) level in all of Central-Eastern Europe with more then 4 billion Euros currently being invested in the market. Source Creditanstalt - Bank Austria - 2006

International companies and investors are increasingly joining the Romania scene Just as the ancient Romans, Greeks and others helped transform the ancient city of Tomis into an important and prosperous settlement, so to today the forces of the EU and international players are setting there sights on Romania for the 21st century. The results will be no less impressive in the short-term future then they were in ancient times.

Romania has all of the makings of a success story.
The Start of a Good Thing

Started by Romans, unique in Europe, today Romania's 70 natural spas provide relief for many medical disorders and illnesses including rheumatism, endocrine, kidney, liver, respiratory, heart, stomach and nervous diseases as well as nutrition, metabolism and gynecological malfunctions.

“The Start of a Good Thing” in Romania began during the time of the Roman Empire. Ceazar, Augustus and others had the vision to see Romania as a hotbed of opportunity. There legacy still permeates Romania to it’s core.

Romania is home to more than one third of Europe’s mineral and thermal springs. The Romans took advantage of this fact by starting spas as mentioned above, many of which are still in use today.

The Romans secret was that they looked for untapped potential and then they tapped it. Pure and simple.

Amazingly, Romania has in modern times understated all of it’s incredible natural resources and left them to a larger extent to there own devices.

Romania has a long coast along the Black Sea, one of the highest mountain ranges in all of Europe, the largest black bear population on the continent, a significant state park, the second highest amount of vineyards in Europe after Italy and the Danube Delta, a UN protected biosphere environment. Outside of the gifts of nature, Romania has some of Europe’s most impressive castles and monasteries, best preserved medieval towns and authentic village life. Then there’s all the ancient ruins and artifacts from pre-Roman times until present.

None of the above resources have been adequately and fully tapped and incredible opportunities continue to exist.

Then there’s the 24 million inhabitants, many of whom are skilled, mult-lingual employable work force and a consumer base.

Everything adds up to equal OPPORTUNITY with capitol letters.

Just don’t take my word for it. Ask Ceazar, The Greeks, The Byzatines, The Turks, the Russians, and the European Union as well as modern day investors in the region. The writing is on the wall and it has been ever since the days of the Roman empire.