Re/Max International has sold master franchises for the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. Samir Mane, an Albanian citizen and local businessman, is the new owner of franchising rights for both countries.
 
The new regions will have their headquarters in the Albanian capital, Tirana. Mane anticipates rapid growth and has ambitious plans to open several offices in the near future, the company says. Mane has appointed Shpetin Spahija as regional director, who will oversee the day-to-day operations of the two regions.
 
The developing economies and the shortage of experienced real estate agents with professional training provide a unique opportunity to launch the franchises, the company says. Albania and Macedonia are located on the Hellenic Peninsula on the northern border of Greece. Their economies are considered “in transition,” moving toward a free market system. The Albanian economy experienced a six per cent growth rate in 2007, and Macedonia, which declared its independence in 1991, was recently ranked as the fourth “best reformatory state” by The World Bank.