European Construction and Property Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

European Construction and Property - Essay Example The first part of this report attempts to assess the scope and value of the Bulgarian construction market comparing it with the UK. The second part of the report focuses on the scope for service integrators or managers that manage the operational service procurement for their customers in the construction industry, especially in the residential and office building sector. Bulgaria is situated in the South-East Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula, and is one of the oldest European states. To the south it borders with the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Greece, to the west - with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Danube River is the natural north border with the Republic of Romania, and to the east Bulgaria borders on the Black Sea. It is characterized by an extremely varied terrain: huge plains and lowlands, high and low mountains, plateaus, caves, basins and gorges. The lowest altitude is 0 metres (at Black Sea), the highest altitude is 2925 metres (the peak of Mussala in the Rila mountain). It has favourable position in terms of location from national and international perspective, and easy accessibility by air, rail and road. Encompassing just 2 % ... Bulgaria is a country of tranquil, ecologically clean, distinctive places of interest, where one can be absorbed by the traditional Bulgarian customs and culture at the same time. Capital Sofia (pop. 1.2 million) is a vibrant city thriving on expansion, architectural buildings and deep respect for multi-cultural diversity. The Black Sea coastal stretch faces east and extends over 378 km, its seawater clean and not tidal and its vast beaches covered with fine golden sand. The majority of Bulgaria beaches have been awarded the EU Blue Flag for their environmental excellence. The conditions for investments in the real estates sphere in Bulgaria have never been better. Bulgaria is a country of unlimited possibilities and it is the time to be first. Bulgaria is the newest hot destination for the real estate market in Europe. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN BULGARIA - AN OVERVIEW Over 36,000 construction companies are registered in Bulgaria, 2,400 of which can be classified as medium and a few as large-sized. The volume of building and construction activities amounts to 2,500 million Euros per annum and the industry has a 5 % share in Bulgaria's GDP, which is expected to double over the next two years. Estimated annual growth is 15%. The sector employs some 120,000 people. Smaller companies have tended to merge into large joint-stock companies and consortiums, particularly seeking foreign technologies and management expertise. Bulgaria has been receiving large amount of donor aid and PHARE/ ISPA funds for infrastructure projects, the implementation of some of which will continue until 2008. Major road/ railroad, waste disposal, water/waste-water and landslide stabilisation projects are expected to be