Business Review

Romania is no longer among the top 30 most attractive emerging countries for retail development, according to the 2011 edition of the A.T. Kearney Global Retail Development Index (GRDI). The development came after Romania dropped five positions to 28th position in 2009.

Simona Bazavan

After the market contracted by 17 percent in 2010, Romanian spirits producers – legal ones that is – are facing another flat year as consumption is showing no signs of picking up so far. But as they struggle, the black market is reaching new heights, while the authorities are turning a blind eye, legitimate players complain.

Simona Bazavan

There are still business opportunities in Romania – albeit fewer than in recent times – and the situation is expected to recover, with the potentially delayed accession to the Schengen area not affecting this. This was the view of many company representatives at the third Dutch Business Forum organized by Business Review last week.

Simona Bazavan

Investors from the Netherlands were among the pioneering companies that came to Romania as early as the beginning of the nineties, increasing their presence after EU accession in 2007 and now claiming prime position among the country’s top foreign investment sources. Business Review takes a look at the results posted by some of the big Dutch investors in 2010 as well as their future plans.

Simona Bazavan

The predominant tone was more optimistic at the third American Business Forum organized by BR last week, after some of the improvements that US companies have been advocating for some time, such as the new PPP law and Labor Code, were eventually approved by the authorities. While stressing the importance of certain details that need to be settled in their respective domains, American investors see the future more brightly.

Staff

Nearly USD 1 billion has been officially invested by American companies locally since 1990, with the actual amount probably higher as many US firms invest in Romania through their Europe-based subsidiaries. And more could well follow, despite the lack of transparency and predictability among the issues deterring companies across the Pond, said the US Ambassador to Romania, Mark Gitenstein, last week.

Simona Bazavan

German companies with local operations have mixed feelings about the pros and cons of doing business in Romania. Nevertheless, most German investors have weathered the crisis well and continue to find business opportunities in Romania, argued attendees at the third German Business Forum, organized by BR last week.

Simona Bazavan

The economic crisis has taken its toll on foreign direct investments to Romania over the past two years, but according to the numbers German investors have defied the general trend, and EUR 6.9 billion has been invested in total locally. Business Review takes a look at the results posted by big German investors in 2010 and some of their plans for the local market.

Simona Bazavan

Many German investors are taking a fresh look at  Romania with a clear focus on industries such as automotive and IT, Dr. Sonja Kreibich, economic and commercial counselor with the German Embassy to Bucharest, told BR.

Simona Bazavan

There are positive signs that the local economy is on the right track to recovery, albeit at a measured pace, argued company representatives present at the second British Business Forum organized by Business Review last week.

Simona Bazavan