Slovakia Investment Property

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Slovakia Investment Property Newsletter
March 2005 - Issue # 6
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Dear

Welcome to our March newsletter. In this issue, apart from
the traditional news and special feature sections we are
introducing "Your Questions Answered", explaining some of
the frequently misunderstood aspects of investing in Slovakia.
So, sit back and enjoy...

In this issue you will find:

1. Bratislava on Top of the News
2. Hitting the 1,000,000 Mark
3. Your Questions Answered
4. Win a Bottle of 'Medovina'! (Prize Draw)
5. Tell Us What You Think!

===================== FEATURE EDITORIAL =================

1) Bratislava on Top of the News

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Slovakia, in recent years, has been attracting attention
of companies and institutions worldwide, fast establishing
itself as one of the most attractive investment destinations
in Europe. And yet, when it comes to the awareness among the
general public (particularly outside Europe) the picture is
very different.

Slovakia, a country with lots to offer to the international
tourist, has been doing a notoriously bad job at promoting
itself abroad. Things may start to slowly change as the
Slovak government has now recognized the improvement and
increase of the country's tourism potential as one of the
priorities.

In the meantime it was international politics that put
Slovakia and Bratislava on top of the news worldwide.
In late February, Bratislava hosted a presidential summit
of the world's two most powerful men - Russia's President
Vladimir Putin and US President G.W.Bush.

And, while no agreement of historical importance was reached
at the Bratislava summit, the event itself - with many hours
of CNN and other worldwide networks' coverage - has done
more for the general awareness of Slovakia than years of
promotion would.

***

And now a good news that will have more of a direct impact
on your property investments in Slovakia.

Following the latest NBS (National Bank of Slovakia) base
rate cut the Slovak mortgages became up to 1% cheaper,
with rates now starting at just over 4.5% p.a. Most
commonly, applicants will now be able to benefit from a
rate of 5-6% p.a.(subject to status).

We have brought a detailed overview of the Slovak mortgage
market in our February newsletter. It is available for
download on: www.slovakiainvestmentproperty.com.

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2) Hitting the 1,000,000 Mark

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Although Slovakia remains unexplored (and largely unknown)
territory to most of world's citizens, its popularity as
a tourist destination has been increasing steadily among
European visitors.

A significant role in this process plays the Bratislava
international airport (officially M.R.Stefanik Airport).
Having seen a 100% y/o/y rise in passenger numbers in 2004
(receiving just under 900 000 passengers), the expectations
for 2005 are for as many as 1,3 million.

Domestic and foreign airlines are flying thousands of
people on daily flights from Bratislava to main European
destinations.

Sky Europe, Slovak Airlines, Air Slovakia, Austrian
Airlines, Lufthansa, EasyJet and Czech Airlines offer
direct flights from Bratislava to nearly all European
countries as well as Russia, India, Israel, Cyprus,
Quwait, Lebanon. In the summer season several chartered
flights take holiday makers non stop to Egypt, Jordan,
and other popular tourist destinations.

UK visitors are spoilt for choice, with daily low cost
flights from London - Stansted and Luton (Sky Europe
and EasyJet) as well as flights from Birmingham (Air
Slovakia) and Manchester (Sky Europe). A return ticket
will typically cost no more than £100. Austrian Airlines
also fly daily from London to Bratislava.

Those who do not have easy access to London, Birmingham
or Manchester can opt to fly to Vienna, Austria instead.
Once arriving at Vienna International airport (Schwechat)
- only 40 km from Bratislava - you can take one of the
hourly shuttle busses that, at a cost of 9 euro, take
you to Bratislava city centre within approx. 45 minutes.

While most Slovaks taking intercontinental flights are
still using Vienna airport, the expansion of the largest
Slovak airport with new destinations added and increased
frequency of flights is likely to change things.

In the meantime, the Slovak government intends to privatize
the Bratislava airport; a strategic investor should be
selected by the end of the year.

If you would like to book your flight to Slovakia, you
can start here:

www.skyeurope.com
www.easyjet.com
www.slovakairlines.sk
www.airslovakia.com
www.aua.com (Austrian Airlines)

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3) Your Questions Answered

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With Eastern Europe fast becoming the most popular new
destination for the UK property investor, it has become
a rarity not to see yet another Eastern Europe article,
editorial or information piece in the many property magazines
and publications. And, although they are well intended,
they don't always get it right.

With regards to Slovakia, one particular issue seems to
frequently have escaped the research of even the most
respected publications - the question what can and can't
foreign buyers do in Slovakia.

We have been approached by many non-EU investors confused
by this matter, therefore, here is the clarification:

a) ALL foreign nationals can purchase property and land
in Slovakia - whether they are EU citizens or not

b) Foreigners can buy property and land in their own name
(without the need to form a company)

c) The only EXCEPTIONS are forest and agricultural land
(Slovakia is using a seven year transition period before
allowing non-Slovaks to purchase the above)

If you have any question you want to see answered here,
please send it to us: contact@slovakiainvestmentproperty.com

-----------------
As a registered member of Slovakia Investment Property you
will always receive first notification of developments and
first opportunity to choose and reserve your preferred unit.

If this email was forwarded to you by a friend and you are
not a registered member, please remember that you need to
register in order to be able to receive notifications and
view our deals.

To join FREE of charge, please follow the link below:
http://www.slovakiainvestmentproperty.com/register.php

PLEASE REMEMBER:
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Slovakia Investment Property is not your typical UK
company of UK nationals claiming to be foreign property
experts. Not only have we teamed up with the best local
experts in Slovakia, we are Slovak nationals with first
hand experience of the Bratislava market. And yes, we
also put our own money into the opportunities offered.

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4) WIN a Bottle of 'Medovina'! (Prize Draw)

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As every month, it is again time to give one of you the
chance to win a bottle of Slovakia's famous medovina liquor
made of honey and herbs.

The lucky February winner is Mr. A. David. Congratulations!

All you have to do to be entered into the prize draw is email
your answer to our Question of the Month before 10 April to:
competition@slovakiainvestmentproperty.com.

It's as easy as that! We will contact the winner to obtain
the postal address. Good luck!

Question: "Have you or your family ever visited Slovakia?"

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5) Tell Us What You Think!

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We would love to hear what you think of this issue of our
newsletter. We hope you find the information useful and
wish you best success in your investment activities.
And of course, if you have any suggestions for upcoming
issues that you'd like to share with us, please send them!

Just e-mail us at: contact@slovakiainvestmentproperty.com

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We are looking forward to seeing you next month. In the
meantime, if you have any questions or would like to
request further information, please contact us at
info@slovakiainvestmentproperty.com or at
+44 (0)207 152 4014.

Best of success,

Petra Gajdosikova
Managing Director
Slovakia Investment Property
www.slovakiainvestmentproperty.com

Slovakia Investment Property is a trading name of
Alpha Real Estate Investments Limited