ROMANIA
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their collaboration and in making capital investments or submitting offers in the privatisation process. For instance, Tender Group from Timisoara made important investments in Serbia during the last two years in different sectors (tourism, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, etc.) Tight co-operation has also been established at the level of regional Chambers of Commerce from neighbouring areas. On 26th October 2007, the Regional Chambers of Commerce of Timisoara, CarasSeverin, Zrenjanin, Pancevo and Kikinda signed a Protocol concerning Collaboration between the Chambers of Commerce of Banat. The most important project and best example of collaboration between Romania and Serbia is certainly represented by the Iron Gate/Ä?erdap Hydro Power Plant, which dates back more than 35 years. Have possible areas for the further advancement of bilateral economic relations been identified? In order to extend bilateral economic relations, we intend to focus on supporting direct co-operation between SMEs from both countries and organising economic missions specialised on fields such as energy, building materials, chemistry – petrochemicals, machine building, information systems, constructions of roads and bridges. The Agreement between the governments of Romania and Serbia on economic, technical and scientific co-operation was signed in Belgrade on 24th October 2008. Following its enforcement, the Romanian-Serbian Joint Committee for economic, technical and scientific co-operation will be organised. The Working Groups of the Joint Committee on trade, industry, energy, transport, agriculture, banking and tourism will focus on the development of bilateral economic co-operation in specified fields. KANTEX d.o.o. Vesna Petrovic, Director Nova MokroluĹĄka 19, 11000 Belgrade LBOUFY!BETM ZVCD OFU XXX LBOUFY FV DIGI SAT d.o.o. Marcel Popa, Director Franse D’ Perea 88, 11000 Belgrade PGGJDF!EJHJ ST XXX EJHJ ST MOBEXPERT GROUP d.o.o. Roxana Ioana Mateescu, Director Milentija Popovica 9, 11000 Belgrade
Are existing Romanian investors in Serbia satisfied with the conditions on the local market or have they identified specific areas requiring improvement? Romanian companies in Serbia, as well Romanian managers who are acting on the Serbian market, are generally satisfied with the business environment and welcome the efforts and progress made in improving legislation and market conditions. They also greatly appreciate the quality of human resources and the skills of Serbian employees. Of course, various difficulties arise during daily company activities, but there is nothing specific to be mentioned. During discussions with representatives of both the Romanian and Serbian business communities, interest has been expressed concerning the establishment of a direct flight between Belgrade and Bucharest. What advice would you give to a Romanian business considering an investment in Serbia, or a Serbian business considering an investment in Romania, during 2009? Serbia is highly determined to improve the business environment and create favourable conditions to attract foreign investments.
mobexpert@mobexpert.rs www.mobexpert.rs UNILEVER BEOGRAD d.o.o. Dan Rusu, Director Omladinskih brigada 88, 11070, Belgrade belgrade.usce@unilever.com www.unilever.com ALCATELďšşLUCENT PUPIN SERBIA d.o.o. Arnald Le Ruen, Director
Serbia is showing strong commitments to establishing a modern market economy. Substantial reforms have been initiated to assure business legal security and important economic laws have also been adopted. The year 2009 came with significant changes to the international and national markets, as a result of the international financial crisis. The negative impact of the international crisis is more and more obvious both in the Romanian and Serbian business environments. It is hard to believe that the level of trade and investments registered in SerbianRomanian economic relations in 2008 could be maintained in 2009. Romanian and other companies will be tempted rather to preserve their existing business, avoid losing their partners as much as possible or ensuring any losses sustained are at a minimum. Several investments planned in the countries of our region have already been cancelled, while other projects are being reduced or postponed. In the construction industry, for instance, companies can no longer secure adequate finances. Today, when prudence has become a “normal attitude�, it is very difficult to give any advice, especially when it comes to investments.
Batajnicki put 23, 11080 Belgrade HUB DUNAV d.o.o. Dan Bulboaca, Director Trnska 2, 11000 Belgrade 381 11 3448201 381 11 3085379 381 export@hubdunav.co.yu www.hapag-loyd.com ROMSYM DATA d.o.o. Vladimir VuÄ?inić, Director Bul. Vojvode MiĹĄića 39a/IV, 11000 Belgrade
PGGJDF!SPNTZN ST XXX SPNTZN ST FARMA VLAD d.o.o. Rodica Vlad, Director GraniÄ?arska 2, 11000 Belgrade milosava@beocity.net YKK ROMANIA REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE SERBIA Kristijan Milanović director KosanÄ?iÄ? Ivana 5 21000 Novi Sad kristijan_milanovic@ykk.rs
March 2009 / Guide to The International Business Sector 93