Samir Mane
Samir Mane in 2022
Born24 December 1967
Korçë, Albania
EducationUniversity of Tirana, Faculty of Geology and Mining
Occupation(s)Founder and actual President of BALFIN Group
Known forFounding BALFIN Group, Being one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Western Balkans, Philanthropist.
Children4
Honours"High Honor Decorate for Services to the Republic of Austria" in 2019 and "For Special Civil Merits to the Albanian Economy" in 2016
Websitewww.balfingroup.com

Samir Mane (Albanian pronunciation: [ˈsamir ˈmane]) born 24 December 1967 is an Albanian entrepreneur. He is the founder and President of Balfin Group, a prominent and successful investment group in the Western Balkans. The group encompasses over 50 companies and operates in 10 countries[1] across Europe and America. Total Group’s Assets up to now (including financial institution) €2.1 billion, as per 2022 data.[2]

Early life

Born on December 24, 1967, in Korça, Albania, Samir Mane is the second child in his family and has two brothers. He was a student at the Faculty of Geology and Mining at Tirana University when the communist system in Albania collapsed in 1991.

Like many other young people, he chose to emigrate in search of a better future outside the country. He moved to Vienna, Austria, where he quickly found work as a translator, enabling him to establish crucial connections[3]. Leveraging these contacts, Samir Mane pursued his dream of establishing his own business.[4]

While residing in Austria in 1993, he identified an opportunity to enter the business of electronic products and home appliances in Albania. Within three years, the initial modest sales of electronic appliances led to the establishment of Albatrade—the first business in wholesale electronics. This success laid the foundation for the BALFIN Group (Balkan Finance Investment Group), marking the beginning of an unparalleled success story.

Career

Through the years, Samir Mane has created an immense and diverse portfolio[5] of different businesses in key economic sectors such as tourism, wholesale and retail, real estate, banking, services, and others, operating in Austria, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Switzerland and USA lately. The Group employs over 5,000 people,[6] whose dedication and passion remain key to our success story.

Key Milestones

1993: Alba Trade was founded in Austria, operating in the consumer electronics market as the official distributor of household electronic goods. Neptun opened its first store in Albania and quickly became the largest network of electronic stores in the country. Today, Neptun has expanded its presence to North Macedonia and Kosovo.

2002: Mane TCI (now BALFIN Construction) commenced commercial operations, specializing in real estate development and management.

2005: QTU (Universe Shopping Center) opened to the public in Tirana, becoming the first shopping mall in Albania. Euromax, the first chain of supermarkets in the country, rapidly grew to become the largest.

2011: TEG (Tirana East Gate), the largest shopping mall in Albania, opened to the public, introducing many new international brands.[7] Jumbo, in a franchise deal with Kidzone (owned by BALFIN Group), opened its first megastore in Tirana, Albania. Today, Jumbo is presence in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro as well.

2012: Skopje City Mall became one of BALFIN Group's most significant investments in North Macedonia. Hystead Group acquired it in 2017.[8]

2013: BALFIN Group acquired ACR Holding's shares, renaming it AlbChrome. In a short period, the company became one of the most important in Albania and one of the largest producers of ferro-chrome in Europe. In January 2022, the company was sold to the conglomerate Yildirim Group.[9] Tirana Logistic Park, a €43 million investment, began operations as the first logistic park in Albania.

2015: Construction of the Green Coast Resort, the first high-end tourist resort in Albania, commenced.

2016:  SPAR supermarkets' chain entered the Albanian market as part of BALFIN Group through a franchise agreement.

2018: NewCo Ferronikeli, one of the biggest nickel producers in Europe and the largest exporter in Kosovo, joined BALFIN Group. In 2023, the company was sold to the conglomerate Yildirim Group. TH&B Immo, founded in 2018, operates in real estate development in Austria, focusing on residential areas, villas, and resorts.

2019: Tirana Bank's acquisition[10] marked an important milestone for BALFIN Group – its entrance into the banking industry. PJ 137 Living represented BALFIN Group's second investment in real estate development in Vienna, Austria.

2021: East Gate Mall's inauguration represented an important milestone for BALFIN Group, positioning the group as the largest foreign investor in North Macedonia. Construction began on the M Gallery Boutique Hotel, a collaboration between BALFIN Group and Accor.[11] On the same year started the construction of Univers City, a new concept of life with diverse housing and service units, as well as complete infrastructure for comfortable living in a residential community.

2022: West Park, a unique commercial facility catering to customers' daily needs through well-known brands, officially opened in Korça, marking BALFIN Group's first investment of its kind in the portfolio.

2023: Construction began on Vlora Marina, one of the most ambitious projects for Albanian touristic infrastructure.[12] The project envisions the creation of a marine resort before the development of residential and service spaces. The modern marina will provide 438 berths throughout the year.

Today – with 100% of shares of BALFIN Group owned by Samir Mane – he is considered by peers as one of the most successful businesspeople in Western Balkans and beyond, with the Group managing a portfolio of approximately 50 companies. For his vision, innovative ideas and entrepreneurship charisma, he was included in the Financial Times top four "People to Watch in Business".[13]

In March 2012 Mane was named the Honorary Consul of Thailand [14] at the opening ceremony of the new consulate. He resigned from this position in 2023.

Personal life

Samir Mane is married to Eva Mane and is the father of three sons and one daughter. While he divides his time between Tirana and Vienna, he has often mentioned in interviews that his favorite place to reside is Green Coast[15] in the Albanian Riviera.

Mane Foundation

In addition to being an increasingly successful businessmen, Samir Mane is at the same time a distinguished philanthropist. BALFIN Group has one of the largest corporate social responsibility footprints in the Western Balkans, supporting sustainability development in Education, Environment, Health & Well-being, and Poverty Alleviation via Mane Foundation.[16]

Recognitions

In 2019, "High Honor Decorate for Services to the Republic of Austria[17]", the highest Austrian state award, awarded by the Austrian President and endorsed by the Austrian Ambassador in Albania.

In 2016, "For Special Civil Merits[18]" awarded from the President of the Republic of Albania.

References

  1. ↑ "BALFIN Group already present in ten countries, two continents". June 22, 2023.
  2. ↑ "About BALFIN Group".
  3. ↑ Ricou, Manon (September 4, 2022). "Exclusive Investigation: Albania, the former Stalinist dictatorship which has become the new pearl of the Adriatic".
  4. ↑ "From Student to Entrepreneur".
  5. ↑ "Meet Samir Mane, Albania's first billionaire".
  6. ↑ "Top 100 companies of South Wast Europe". October 25, 2023. pp. Albania Daily News.
  7. ↑ "IFC's Support to Help Boost Retail Property Sector in Albania, Create Jobs". December 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Hystead buys Skopje City Mall". November 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ "EBRD funds Yildirim's purchase of Albanian metal miner". May 26, 2022.
  10. ↑ Hodo, Genta (November 13, 2023). "Albania's Tirana Bank net profit almost doubles in Q3 y/y".
  11. ↑ "ACCOR AND BALFIN GROUP JOIN FORCES TO OPEN FIRST MGALLERY HOTEL IN ALBANIA". March 15, 2021.
  12. ↑ Fox, Anabelle (December 12, 2023). "D-Marin partners with world-class marina in Albania".
  13. ↑ Hope, Kerin (March 26, 2008). "Who's who: People to watch in business". Financial Times.
  14. ↑ "Honorary Consulate of Thailand in Tirana". Aid Air.
  15. ↑ "Opinion – Historia mbresëlënëse e njeriut më të pasur shqiptar!".
  16. ↑ "BALFIN Group 30 years: major announcements regarding expansion and philanthropy". June 17, 2023.
  17. ↑ "The President of Austria awards businessman Samir Mane with the "High Decoration of Honor"".
  18. ↑ "Nishani gives the title "For Special Civil Merits" to businessman Samir Mane".
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