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The value of commercial exchanges between Romania and Switzerland reached almost 300 million euro
The commercial exchanges between Romania and Switzerland reached the value of approximately 300 million euro stated on Monday Manuel Costescu, state secretary in the ministry of economy and head of the department for foreign investments and public-private partnership (DISPPP) at the forum for investments Romania –Switzerland.
‘The commercial exchanges – exports and imports – between Romania and Switzerland are worth approximately 300 million euro. This is a good thing but it could be better.Romania is still unknown for somebody who wants to invest. Romania has a rising economy where all European Union regulations are observed. If you came to Romania ten years ago,you notice that things have changed very much, and I don’t mean only the laws which have been changed. Switzerland invests more than the GDP by 150%. That is why we would like to see you more present in Romania. You have mountains covering 60% of the country. We don’t have transport infrastructure enough and we want to accelerate its creation. Romania has 70 industrial parks. Don’t hesitate to come to these parks. Moreover, we see cars producers and auto spare parts producers who invested in Romania,who want to project car spare parts. This is an extraordinary progress, with well-prepared work force’ Costescu said.
He supported at the same time that Romania is the second most competitive destination in Europe for work force with clear laws.
Romania has been among few European countries to observe the Maastricht requirement regarding the size of the Gross Domestic Prodcut (GDP), President of the Switzerland-Romania Chamber of Commerce Irina Bolomey told a Romania-Switzerland Investment Forum on Monday.
"We are talking about the future of the Romanian economy and we want to review opportunities for investors, mainly for Swiss investors. Moreover, we are talking about the challenges they are facing in Romania. Romania has been recently recommended to investors, as it has a stable economy. It is a step forward for Romania, the result of several factors, including the rise in GDP. In 2016, it will stand at 2.2 percent and in 2017, at 2.8 percent. Since 2012, Romania has been among few European countries to observe the Maastricht requirement of GDP size. That was achieved by difficult measures taken by the Government, by cutting investment. The GDP increase was also supported by the population's domestic consumption, which was made possible by the Government's decision to cut the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and increase the minimum wage, along with other benefits," Bolomey said.
She added that Switzerland, although not an EU member, earmarks significant amounts of money for major projects in Central Europe, Romania included.
The Switzerland-Romania Chamber of Commerce organised in Bucharest on Monday a Romania-Switzerland Investment Forum, an event also attended by Romania's Deputy PM and Minister of Economy, Trade and Relations with the Business Environment Costin Borc.
Discussed at the meeting were the future of Romania's economy, challenges and opportunities for investors and the reform of the education and fiscal systems.
Also attending the event were President of the Swiss National Council Christa Markwalder; President of the Switzerland-Romania Chamber of Commerce Irina Bolomey; Secretary of State with the Romanian Ministry of Economy and head of the Department for Foreign Investment and Public-Private Partnerships Manuel Costescu, as well as Secretary of State with Romania's Public Finance Ministry Gabriel Biris.