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Conference "Investment and funding opportunities in Romania", organized by the Romanian-Greek Chamber of Commerce
Greece has a strong expertise in accessing European funds, as the country attracted almost 90 per cent of the money available for infrastructure, so that it has the ability to help Romania in this respect, the Greek Ambassador to Bucharest, Vassilis Papadopoulos, told a conference called "Investment and funding opportunities in Romania", organized by the Romanian-Greek Chamber of Commerce and the Greek Embassy in Bucharest.
"The Greek experts in accessing EU funds can help Romania in preparing the files, as they have all the necessary experience in what the European mechanisms are concerned. Absorption of European funds, especially in the infrastructure sector, is significantly higher, close to 90 per cent, while in Romania, as you well know it, it still is a problem," said Papadopoulos.
He also highlighted the huge steps made by the Romanian economy in the recent years.
"Romania succeeded in significantly reducing the economic imbalances recorded in 2008, while scoring one of the largest growth in GDP in the European Union, last year, and also having one of the largest economic growths among the European countries in 2017. Many indexes, such as inflation, public debt and unemployment show that this is a country with economic discipline and optimistic outlook," said the Greek official.
Papadopoulos enumerated several fields that attract investors in Romania, such as the industrial sector, the car industry, the aeronautic industry, the oil industry, the energy industry, the chemical industry, the high-tech industry, as well as agriculture.
"All these can continue to grow, with the help of Greek experts and specialized consultants," said the Ambassador.
In his turn, Gerd Bommer, trade adviser with the Austrian Embassy in Bucharest, spoke on the same occasion about the strong market Romania has, with a very big potential, which aroused the interest of Austrian investors.
"Tourism is one of our top competencies and Romania can develop this sector much more than it does now. There are very many opportunities. This is a beautiful country, with warm and hospitable people. In what the infrastructure is concerned, it's true though that the potential hasn't been reached yet. There are many tenders launched right now, but I believe that infrastructure will remain of a topical interest for the next 10-15 years," said Bommer.
Moreover, there are many investments in the railway sector, he said.