ENTREPRENEUR | INVESTOR | PHILANTHROPIST

Samir Mane

I believe in what comes next.

For more than three decades, I have built businesses, entered new markets, and pursued ideas with long-term potential. My journey has always been guided by a simple belief: progress comes from seeing opportunity early and having the determination to turn it into reality.

Explore my journey.

A JOURNEY OF GROWTH

SAMIR MANE | PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS JOURNEY

  • 1993 – 1999

    The Beginning

    • 1993

      Alba Trade is founded in Austria.

    • 1993

      Neptun opens its first store in Albania, later expanding across the region.

  • 2000 – 2010

    Entering Real Estate & Retail

    • 2002

      Mane TCI (now BALFIN Construction) begins operations in real estate.

    • 2005

      QTU opens as Albania's first shopping mall.

    • 2005

      Euromax develops into one of the country's leading supermarket chains.

  • 2011 – 2015

    Landmark Investments

    • 2011

      TEG opens in Tirana.

    • 2011

      Jumbo opens its first store in Albania.

    • 2012

      Skopje City Mall becomes a major investment in North Macedonia.

    • 2013

      BALFIN acquires ACR Holding (later AlbChrome).

    • 2013

      Tirana Logistic Park begins operations.

    • 2015

      Construction begins on Green Coast.

  • 2016 – 2020

    Regional & European Expansion

    • 2016

      SPAR enters Albania.

    • 2018

      NewCo Ferronikeli joins BALFIN Group.

    • 2018

      TH&B Immo is established in Austria.

    • 2019

      BALFIN enters the banking sector with Tirana Bank.

    • 2019

      PJ 137 Living becomes BALFIN's second real estate development in Vienna.

  • 2021 – 2023

    International Growth

    • 2021

      East Gate Mall opens in Skopje.

    • 2021

      Development begins on MGallery Boutique Hotel (Accor).

    • 2021

      Univers City introduces a new residential community concept.

    • 2022

      West Park opens in Korçë.

    • 2022

      BALFIN-tech AG is established in Switzerland.

    • 2023

      Construction begins on Vlora Marina.

  • Today

    A Diversified International Group

    ~ 50 Companies

    Samir Mane owns 100% of BALFIN Group, which manages a portfolio of around 50 companies across multiple countries and industries.

From a Different Beginning to a Bigger Purpose.

In 1993, I left Albania with little, but with a strong belief in opportunity. What started as a personal journey became a lifelong commitment to invest, create and give back.

Read My Story

Work

A journey of ideas, investments and people. →

Foundation

More opportunities. Stronger communities. →

Journal

People, ideas and experiences that shape my perspective. →

Making History as Albania’s First Billionaire on the Forbes List

Accolades

Order for Special
Civil Merits

In 2016, awarded the “Order for Special Civil Merits” by the President of the Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishani.

High Decoration of
Honour for Services to
the Republic of Austria

In 2019, awarded the “High Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria,” Austria’s highest state honor, presented by the Austrian President.

global Billionaire
by forbes

In March 2025, listed by Forbes on its global Billionaires List, becoming the first Albanian ever to appear on the list, ranked around #2,356.

International Spotlight