Transylvania Today Cluj-Napoca Premium City 2016

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Cluj Today and Transylvania Today Associations Project manager: Rada Morar Editorial manager: Bianca Pădurean

Cluj-Napoca City Hall and The Local Council

Editor in chief: Claudiu Pădurean Translator: xxx Proofreading: Elizabeth Dieltz Cover photo: Soltănel Constantin Printed by:

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EDITORIAL

700 Years of Freedom This year the people of Cluj-Napoca are celebrating 700 years since Charles Robert of Anjou granted their ancestors the privilege of living in a Free Royal City. In August 1316, Cluj-Napoca was removed from feudal dependency to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Transylvania, Peter Monoszlo of Alba Iulia, thus becoming a city judicially equal to Venice, Genoa from Italy and German cities from the Hanseatic League.

The freedom enjoyed by the citizens of Cluj-Napoca and their city quickly paid off. Cluj-Napoca then became one of the wealthiest cities in Transylvania and at the same time one of the most dynamic communities from this part of Europe. For example, in 1581 in Cluj-Napoca, the first university in modern day Romania – Jesuit College – was founded by the Prince of Transylvania, Stephen Bathory, who became also King of Poland. Nowadays, this university is Babeș-Bolyai University, the biggest Romanian institution in higher education.

The citizens of Cluj-Napoca have repeatedly shown that they know how to treasure their freedom and that they will fight to protect it, in wars or revolutions, but also by fighting against tyranny during the communist time. And so it happened in December 1989 when the people of Cluj-Napoca rose up against communism.

Many paid for this with their lives. The reclaimed freedom has once again granted Cluj-Napoca with an upsurge which helped it to develop into the largest and the most prosperous city in Transylvania, European Youth Capital in 2015 and, hopefully, European Cultural Capital in 2021.

At the present time, Cluj-Napoca is the second largest city in Romania and the first regarding quality of life a well as being the most important academic centre from this part of Europe and economic capital of Transylvania. All of these facts demonstrate two things. First, that freedom has a price and it always must be defended. Secondly, that price is always worth being paid!

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INTERVIEW

The City of Culture and Technology Information Development Reporter: Mister mayor, Cluj has become the second city from an economic point of view, after Bucharest. Which are the engines of its development?

Emil Boc: Cluj has several economic advantages which distinguish it in the scenery of Central Europe, defining the identity of the city and the municipality is supportive of. We have an increased capacity in high technology fields and a strong development in the IT industry, industrial parks in development, a service sector that is very competitive, including in the field of tourism, a financial and banking sector which distinguishes itself as the second economic center of this type after the capital, a great number of active SMEs and a large volume of investments.

Emil Boc: Cluj Innovation City is a project that aims the development of the city for the next 20 years. The project has synchronized and correlated existing local initiatives under a unique endeavor of the community having as long-term target the sustainable economic development based on technologies and entrepreneurial processes with high added value.

Photo: Radu Pădurean

Reporter: You are supporting the Cluj – Innovation City project. Which is the added value brought to the community?

Emil Boc, the mayor of Cluj-Napoca

On the whole, it is a project of integrated territorial development. A project which integrates itself in the Europe 2020 strategy, that plans to develop Europe in the terms of a sustainable, intelligent growth, focusing on the employment of the work force, on research and innovation, on the energy related issues, on education and on the combat against poverty.

An important pylon of the project is related to the development of the Lomb area, where Cluj-Napoca City Hall has 202 hectares of land and where it has already

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begun the construction of several centres dedicated to the business environment, to the creative industries and to the youth of Cluj with initiative through projects with European funding. The Regional Centre of Excellency for Creative Industries and the Centre of Business Support TEAM-ZMC are managed by Cluj Innovation Park SA company (which belongs to the municipality) and will be a part of Cluj Industrial Park in order to offer facilities to the investors. Cluj Innovation City will be an assembly of components which will operate as a whole, components provided by every partner, the Cluj-Nawww.transylvaniatoday.ro

INTERVIEW

poca City Hall, the Cluj IT Cluster (the initiator of the project), Cluj County Council and the 6 universities, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Babeş-Bolyai University, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Art and Design, ‘’Gheorghe Dima’’ Music Academy .

The implementation of this major project implies the development of a certain level of collaboration and of a level of infrastructure. Cluj Innovation city will be in the first place a collaborative ecosystem between institutions of research and development, authorities, private companies and entrepreneurs and the academia.

Certainly, the collaboration will develop in the context of infrastructure specific to the project partners: laboratories, business incubators, areas for education, centres of technological transfers, business centers, commercial and recreational areas.

The four strategic directions, health, bio-economy, IT, renewable energy and environment, are based on a development of education, which starts with primary education, including higher education, vocational studies and retraining, relies on technological transfer, on the collaboration between the applied research institutes and business partners, with impact on the real economy, on the development of entrepreneurship.

I would also like to remind the fact that Cluj Innovation City was mentioned as an important future project at European level, in a report of the EU dedicated to research and innovation, presented in 2015.

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Reporter: This year, Cluj celebrates 700 years of freedom, since it has received the same statute as the Republic of Venice or Florence. How will Cluj use the exceptional historical heritage?

Emil Boc: We, the citizens of Cluj, are multicultural through the historical legacy which we share, the same as in many other places of Europe. Today we are trying to showcase the historical heritage through the candidacy for the title of European Cultural Capital. Certainly, this candidacy is not just a way of treasuring the past, but also an opportunity to coherently design the future.

The concept proposed by our candidacy is ‘’East of West’’, meaning the historical occasion to discover one another, because of Cluj being located at the confluence between east and west defines not only the unique manner of being of the people, but it is also relevant for the processes which take place today in Europe in the east and the west, alike. The motto of the project is ‘’Servus 2021’’. At its origins a Latin term, ‘’servus’’ has been consecrated in the cultural media of Central Europe and it is a greeting formula specific to the citizens of Cluj. Used by both Romanians and Hungarians, it is the salute of those who have already became friends, of those who consider themselves equals. It implies openness, familiarity, the will to make yourself available to another on the ground of trust and a similar response. It is the synthesis of the meeting between the east and the west. The artistic vision of the project emphasizes the concept “East of West”, connecting communities in order to encourage their cultural, social and economic development.

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HISTORY

How Did Cluj Become a Free Royal City Cluj-Napoca is a city with a fascinating history, which began in 107 AD, after the Roman Empire conquered the Dacian Kingdom. The city was founded

by Romans, who firstly built a fortification on the banks of the Someșul Mic River, which was meant to guard the river bed through which ox-drawn carts, loaded with salt and those which were going south from Dej-Gherla-Sic area salt mines, were passing through.

Alongside the Roman fort a small civilian settlement was established, which received town status and the rank of municipium with the name of Napoca in 124 AD, from Emperor Hadrian. Subsequently, the roman town received the rank of colonia and it became the favourite residence of wealthy salt merchants from the roman Dacia. Napoca continued to prosper until 271 AD, when Emperor Aurelian decided to withdraw the Roman legions and administration to the south of Danube. Cluj-Napoca kept being inhabited by the descendants of the Roman colonists, as well as various migratory tribes. In the proximity of the city, in modern day Apahida, the capital of the Gepidae Kingdom was situated.

However, the city was truly reborn in the Middle Ages. The first documentary attestation of the town, under the name of Castrum Clus, dates from the XII century. The town was severely affected by Mongol invasions of Europe from 1241 AD; therefore King Stephan V of Hungary decided to repopulate the town with German colonists. During the feudal anarchy, which accompanied the extinction of the Arpadian Dynasty in the Hungarian Kingdom, and then the Principality of Transylvania was engulfed in turbulence. Under these circumstances, it became the property of the powerful Roman Catholic Bishop of

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Transylvania, Peter Monszlo. Nevertheless, the end of the feudal turbulence lead to the liberation of Cluj. On 19 August 1316, at the request of Count Stark, King Charles Robert of Anjou decided to break the bonds which held Cluj in serfdom.

Cluj received the title of Free Royal City and practically became the judicial equal of the Venetian Republic. The status of Free Royal City gave the townsfolk a series of rights, who were able to organize themselves in guilds. Cluj became, in a short time, one of the most prosperous cities in this part of Europe. Moreover, according to the privileged royal people of Cluj received the right to build the Saint Michael church from the city centre which remains one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Transylvania. In addition to that they had the right to choose their own vicar, as well as the judge of the city who would handle all trials. Only in the case of murder, the judge chosen by the people would judge along with the royal judge.

In 1405, Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund granted Cluj new privileges, including the right to build defensive towers and to transform the inner wall into a veritable fortress. The city continued to develop itself, and it is here that the greatest king of Hungary, the Romanian Matthias Corvinus, the son of the last crusade leader, Iancu of Hunedoara was born. Matthias Corvinus granted his hometown new privileges which allowed Cluj to rapidly flourish. At that time the city reached circa 5,000 inhabitants: Germans, Hungarians and Romanians. Cluj became not only a prestigious handicraft and commercial centre but also an important military concentration, in the context of the wars between the Christian states of Central Europe and The Ottoman Empire.

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Cluj by Joris Hoefnagel, 1617

HISTORY

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TRENDS

Royal House of Romania Boosts Economic Development

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016 is the year in which the Romanian Royal Family is celebrating 150 years from the founding of the Dynasty. In all this time the members of the Royal Family strove to boost the economic development of the area. The Romanian Kings with no exception were involved in the strategic planning of some economic domains of major interest.

An example of this is King Carol I. In 1866, when he ascended to the throne, Romania had 0 km of railroad.

The year of his death 1914, Romania had reached 3,500 km of railroad. Moreover King Carol I was involved in the development of the industry. His successor, King Ferdinand I (1914 - 1927), continued to expand the rail, road, maritime and inland waterway systems. During his reign, Romania became one of the largest global producers of oil, gold, silver, and aluminium. This fact stimulated accelerated economic development under the reign of King Carol II (1930 – 1940).

During his reign, Romania modernized its industry and began to produce automobiles, planes and other goods.

The biggest part of King Michael I’s reign (1927 – 1930 and 1940 – 1947) was in the context of World War II. The King of Romania was careful to keep the Romanian economic foundations and protect the Romanian population from the privations of the war.

The Romanian Kings have invested in private companies, lobbied to support Romanian exports and to attract foreign investors as well as encouraging business development. In agriculture, for example, the Crown Lands, which were put at the disposal of the King by the Parliament to ensure the financing of the Royal House, have become an example of modern farming.

The incomes generated by the Crown Lands were used not only for financing to the Royal House but also for many schools, hospitals and cultural centres. The establishment of communism broke the bonds between the King, who was exiled, and the economic environment.

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The communists destroyed the Romanian private economy; they confiscated banks, insurance companies, transport companies, factories and farmlands.

After the fall of communism, King Michael I began to restart the activity of the Royal Family of Romania, which was in the service of the economic development of the country. After a while, in which the new authorities from Bucharest were hostile to the King, the Royal Family slowly began to retake its central role in Romanian society. A good example of this was the resumption of granting Official Supplier of the Royal House of Romania vouchers program. This voucher certifies the high quality of goods and services offered and it is a guarantee of seriousness and solidity of the companies. The fifth generation of the Royal Family of Romania, headed by The Custodian of the Crown, Crown Princess Margareta are continuing this tradition. A particularly valuable initiative launched by His Royal Highness, Prince Radu of Romania, on March 2015, when Crown Princess Margareta and Prince Radu of Romania became Honorary Citizens of Cluj County.

Prince Radu of Romania promised to the businesspeople gathered in Aula Magna of the Babeş-Bolyai University to involve himself in sustaining the Cluj business environment.

After a year, His Royal Highness’s promise came true. On 18 – 20 April a delegation of more than 20 businessmen from Transylvania participated in the Official Visit of Prince Radu of Romania in Republic of Moldova. During the meetings with the Vice Premier from Chisinau, Octavian Calmîc, who is also the Minister of Economy; with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Eduard Grama, with the representatives of North Development Agency from Bălți or with the mayor of Chisinau, Dorin Chirtoacă, so as the meetings with the businessmen from Republic of Moldova, where there were established the foundations of an important economic cooperation. At least two Transylvanian comwww.transylvaniatoday.ro

Photo: Daniel Angelescu

TRENDS

His Majesty King Mihai I (in the middle), HRH Crown Princess Margareta (left) and HRH Prince Radu of Romania (right) panies will invest in the Republic of Moldova and at least one company from Chisinau will invest in Cluj.

Moreover, dozens of commercial agreements and partnerships were negotiated between Transylvanian companies and those from the Republic of Moldova and an economic mission with an agricultural character, which reunited companies from the Republic of Moldova, took place in April. Companies from both countries will participate at the Official Visit of His Royal Highness Prince www.clujbusiness.ro

Radu at Dusseldorf, in Germany, in the autumn of 2016, and this is only the beginning. Even though, at present, Romania is still a republic, the institutional role of the Royal Family is officially recognized by the authorities from Bucharest and Chişinău and from a practical point of view, the involvement of the Royal Family of Romania in the stimulation of economic development for Romania and from the Republic of Moldova isn’t much more different from the role assumed by The Royal Family of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

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HISTORY AND LEGACY

Transylvania, the Heart of Europe Bran Castle commonly known as Dracula’s Castle

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ransylvania gained world-wide fame through two famous pieces of literature. One of these is Bram Stoker’s popular novel Dracula, which is why this land is known today as the realm of vampires. In his narrative, the Irish writer depicted the Transylvanian cities of Cluj and Bistrița along with the Carpathians, the location which serves as the dwelling place of the notorious Count Dracula. The story is inspired by the myth of the vampire. However, beyond the myth there is the legend and legends usually spring from facts and history.

The second narrative that made Transylvania a household name is Jules Verne’s novel The Carpathian Castle.

This love story features a beautiful countess and is considered one of the most enchanting pieces in world literature. The Castle depicted in the novel is a very important fortress of the age, namely the early Medieval Colt Fortress “Cetatea de Colţ” situated in the Southern Carpathians.

The places that inspired the novels Dracula and the Castle in the Carpathians For local Romanians the name Dracula is an alias for Vlad Ţepeş. This infamous historical figure was not a count but a prince, and he was not considered a vampire but

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a brave fighter of Ottoman oppression. He had become a hero in the eyes of his people due to his outstanding courage and drive and also due to his righteousness and unimpaired sense of justice which made him seem ruthless in the eyes of those who violated the laws of the age.

His favourite method of punishment was impalement. Ţeapă is the Romanian word for stake and this is how he earned the nickname of Ţepes.

According to local folklore he was called Drăculea or Dracula by his subjects, namely the son of Dracu (the Devil). His father, the great Wallachian prince had become a knight in the order of the Dragon, a medieval order established by Sigismund, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The prince wore a gorget decorated with a dragon, the sign of the Order. The Latin equivalent of the word dragon is draco. The son of Vlad the Draco or Dragon, Vlad Dracula (little dragon), was born in the medieval fortress of Sighişoara, situated in the south of Transylvania, which, today, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The above mentioned Vlad Ţepeş reigned over the principality three times and managed to defeat the great Mehmed conqueror of Constantinople. He was killed in a battle against the Ottomans in 1476. The touristic inheritance left behind by the prince is present today in Transylvania and Wallachia alike. www.transylvaniatoday.ro

HISTORY AND LEGACY

Transylvania, Prince Charles’s Favourite Location

This land is considered to be where Byzantine culture and art, promoted by the Orthodox Church along with Gothic and Baroque architecture create a unique amalgam of artistic and cultural diversity. It is also the place where northern and southern European cultural influences meet and interact. The small wooden Orthodox churches from Maramureş (Ieud, Rogoz or Plopiş) display an austere, minimalist design - typical of the wooden churches of Scandinavia. This humble simplicity is combined with lavish interior decorations that are genuine examples of traditional Romanian craftsmanship, thus creating a melting pot of Italian and Austrian Baroque and Byzantine ornaments.

The south of Transylvania - the area called Banat, hosts picturesque valleys of the Danube that abound in almond and fig trees. The northern part of Transylvania, Maramureş, is dominated by the Carpathians, an area renowned for its vast and thick pine forests. On the highest peaks of the Carpathians, the snow last for half a year, just as in Scandinavia. In the valleys, however, the temperatures can climb, creating a climate favourable for wine production, hosting one of the finest vineyards of Europe.

Prince Charles at Viscri

Oradea, Columbus’s Prime Meridian

As mentioned above, this mythical land has served as the setting for many narratives; however, it is a place worth discovering. Not just as a reader as its wonders reach beyond the realm of literary inspiration.

His Royal Highness, Prince Charles was so taken by the natural and historical richness that he had purchased an estate in Transylvania in the picturesque little village of Viscri. He has also invested funds in the restoration of several architectural treasures of former Transylvanian nobility such as the Bánffy Castle of Bonțida in Cluj County.

Transylvania is promoted by other members of the English Royal Family. For example, some of them spend their Christmas’ regularly at Săvârșin Castle in Arad County, a spectacular example of feudal architecture.

The Geographic Centre of Europe Very few Europeans know that Transylvania is located in the heart of the continent. The Geographic centre of Europe is actually situated in the northern part of Transylvania, namely the region called Maramureş. According to some topographic measurements; the exact centre of the continent is the historical region of Maramureş, more specifically a little village in Ukraine inhabited by Romanians.

However, another study identifies, Vişeul de Sus, a small town from Maramureş, as the centre. Whichever one might be the most accurate answer both studies can be considered topographic proof that Transylvania is indeed on the border between East and West. Historically speaking this central area was part of the Roman and, later, the Byzantine Empires and in the early Middle Ages it was under the rule of the Holy Roman Empire. www.clujbusiness.ro

Oradea in the Middle Ages, 1617. Engraving by Braun and Hogenberg.

The western part of Transylvania, the city of Oradea serves as the eternal dwelling place of the Holy Roman Emperor, Sigismund of Luxemburg and it was home to the most important Observatory in Europe. The latter institution was founded by the famous renaissance savant, Ioan Vitez of Zredna, educator of Iancu de Hunedoara’s (the last crusader’s) children.

This Observatory made Oradea the Prime Meridian between the years 1464 – 1667, later on it was moved to Paris and eventually London. Thus Christopher Columbus set sail towards America using the calculus made here, in Oradea. He also used this Meridian to prove that the Earth is round.

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The Most Dynamic Metropolitan Area in Romania: Cluj

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luj-Napoca, second largest city in Romania after the capital Bucharest, is the heart of the most dynamic metropolitan area. 19 communes, almost 500.000 inhabitants and more than 1500 sq km are the key figures of the Intercommunity Development Association Cluj Metropolitan Area. The Association’s objectives are to coordinate the development of the area and to properly manage the administration’s common projects. The Integrated Urban Development Strategy 2014-2023, the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan 2014-2030 and their guiding principles lay the foundation for the development of Cluj Metropolitan Area (CMA) as a sustainable European urban agglomeration.

During the last 5 years, we have invested over 60 M EUR in modernizing public transport (infrastructure and rolling stock), focusing on green and sustainable transportation systems (trams, trolleybuses and electric buses).

26 metropolitan transport lines are operated by the Public Transport Company, in addition to the almost 60 urban ones.

Key figures 100.000 students 250 Ha of industrial parks in the metropolitan area.

10 000 EUR GDP per capita, rose y-o-y 5.7 % in 2015

European Convergence Pole We are the metropolitan region located east of west, at the frontier of the EU with the developing markets of east and north.

We are easily reachable • Avram Iancu Cluj International Airport operates over 40 destinations and is expected to reach 1.8 mil passengers in 2016 • There is a road connection to TEN-T corridor 4, through future A10 Highway Sebeș-Turda • Another highway connection, to Hungary, is expected to be finalized in 2018 • There are also excellent national and international rail connections

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Pole of innovation and excellency in business and industry CMA has a key feature - its potential for innovation and scientific development.

Every year, tens of thousands of young people move to Cluj-Napoca to study in vocational schools, colleges or in the 11 universities in the city, accessing a wide range of educational and training opportunities.

Highly qualified researchers are part of the top research and development university centres. The city and the metropolitan area continue to act like a magnet, attracting highly skilled workforce, businesses and institutions. www.transylvaniatoday.ro

Photo: Radu Pădurean

DEVELOPMENT

DEVELOPMENT

The foundation of the business sector is represented by the small and medium sized enterprises, the city offering excellent conditions for launching start-ups and developing existing businesses. The innovation appetite is reflected in the wide range of economic sectors present in the region. Larger businesses are accommodated in the metropolitan area, public and private companies operate industrial parks, providing the necessary infrastructure for developing the needed facilities.

“We must create an integrated governance system for the metropolitan area. The infrastructure must be more efficient because it will be the base for all community development. Also, we must very carefully plan the development of each sector. There are areas in which industrial production will be concentrated, areas dedicated to commercial services, touristic areas and residential areas.

Only in this way can we create the future community we all want”, said Zoltan Coraian, the executive director of the Intercommunity Development Association.

Sustainable urban development and regeneration

A brand for quality, culture and livability

According to official reports, Cluj is the only metropolitan area in Romania that underwent a population growth in the 2002-2012 decade, and that trend is being maintained, in spite of the general population decrease of Romania. CMA has a number of potential development sites both in the city and in the metropolitan area.

As a consequence, the real estate market is sustainably growing.

“We are aware that there are areas in which we cannot overcome the Capital. Nevertheless, from the quality of life point of view we can get ahead of Bucharest”, said the mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Boc, who is the president of the Intercommunity Development Association. CMA is an attractive region for people of every age. Ranging from a high level of urbanity to wild, nearly untouched nature, there is room for every lifestyle.

Currently, the growth reached the same level as before the economic crisis of 2008 – 2011. The average unit price for housing in Cluj is the highest in Romania as real estate developers’ offers still cannot meet the increased demand on the market. Major projects are already planned for the metropolitan area and Floreşti, Apahida and Baciu communes have already become the most important residential areas in the metropolitan context.

Cluj is a region with diversified healthcare services, offering high performance medicine to general health care services. It also provides a wide range of opportunities to participate in mass sports, has high quality education services and offers internationally recognised cultural events (UNTOLD Festival, TIFF, Electric Castle festival etc.).

Urban regeneration projects for the public spaces and the residential zones have commenced, beginning from the city and reaching the nearby communes.

It is the specific combination of these qualities and also the constant public and private investments in the regeneration of public spaces, to which Cluj owes its exceptional quality of life and competitive environment.

The governance structures and organizational arrangements define the rules for business. The Association, together with the local public administrations, have set clear and transparent rules (i.e., a good governance system) for doing business in CMA, having a pro-business attitude.

Another important point on the agenda of the Metropolitan Association is represented by its interest to increase the quality of life and opportunities for underprivileged groups as a means of ensuring social cohesion. The CMA will continue to develop the assets of the city and rural areas, to offer the best quality of life in Romania.

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Photo: Lucian Nuță

TOURISM

The Casino building

Visiting the Treasure City G

eographicaly, historically and culturally at the confluence of great western and eastern civilisations, present day Cluj is the beneficiary of a rich cultural heritage. Sourrounded on three sides by hills and knolls, with heights ranging from 500 to 800 metres; Cluj-Napoca stretches across the valleys of Someșul Mic and Nadăș rivers. The forest and the botanical reserves close to the city shelter rich vegetation, with rare species and diverse fauna. Cluj-Napoca hides under the land which was built on archeological ruins dating back an impressive 60,000 years. The city’s story, mysterious and tumultuous, is told by the artefacts brought to light by the archaeologists.

Napoca was one of the most important cities from Roman Dacia mentioned two millennia ago by the geographer Ptolemaeus. The settlement was raised to the rank of municipality in Emperor Hadrian’s time, being named Municipium Aelium Hadrianum Napocenses, and then to the rank of colonia Aurelia Napoca, around 180 AD, under Marcus Aurelius. Although it quickly degenerated following the withdraw of the romans the migra-

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tory peoples slowly revived this medieval city from the ashes of ancient Roman ruins. This flourishing civilization was accompanied by an exceptional culmination of economic and cultural values that justified its’ new given name – “Treasure City”. The medieval town developed inside the fortification of high walls, towers and strongholds, like other Saxon citadels in Transylvania.

A must see for the artistically minded. A visit to Cluj-Napoca, even for a few hours, offers the visitor a unique experience. From the diverse variety of visitor tours; The Roman Road, Gothic Cluj, Baroque Cluj or Renaissance Cluj, the extensive assortment of churches built in the 19th and 20th centuries with strong western influences – adapted to the Transylvanian area, squares and pedestrian areas – overseen by palaces with portals and ornamented squares, commercial spaces below the city streets, the Botanical Gardens, the city’s parks, student life, local and European events, local and international delicacies; tourists will discover a smart, dynamic city that promises adventure and an urge to return here, year after year. www.transylvaniatoday.ro

DIPLOMACY

Cluj, Diplomatic and Consular Centre Pascal Fesneau, honorary consul of France

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he academic, scientific and economic importance of Cluj led to the transformation of the capital of Transylvania into a veritable consular and diplomatic centre. The origins of this activity can be traced to The Middle Ages, when Cluj hosted the embassies sent by the sovereigns of Europe to the princes of Transylvania. This tradition has continued on a smaller scale, both in the periods of The Austrian Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire.

garian citizenship. The process of granting Hungarian citizenship continues so that the importance of the consular services offered by the General Consulate of Hungary grows. The General Consulate of Hungary was involved in numerous academic cultural and economic actions.

The French Republic in Cluj is represented by an honorary consul, Pascal Fesneau. The opening of the Hon-

During the time when Cluj was part of The Kingdom of Romania, the consular and diplomatic environment in the city contained great personalities like the savant Alfred Chapui, who became the consul of Switzerland.

The great savant who became a professor at the King Ferdinand I University and one of the closest friends of the prince; Emil Racoviţă, one of the most important Romanian biologists and the founder of the science called biospeleology. During communism, this activity was reduced to a minimum, however after the collapse of communism; Cluj regained its deserved status as a first rank city of Central Europe and at the same time the position of consular and academic centre of activities.

So that means Cluj hosts the General Consulate of Hungary lead by the General Consul Lajos Mile. The general consulate is necessary in the context regarding the Hungarian community of Cluj which includes all the citizens of Hungary, has grown significantly in the last years due to the arrival of some investors from Hungary but mostly as a result of the process by which many Hungarians who were born in Romania have requested and received Hun-

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Lucia Morariu, honorary consul of Slovenia www.transylvaniatoday.ro

DIPLOMACY

Wouter Reijers, honorary consul of Netherlands

Lajos Mile, General consul of Hungary

orary Consulate of France has become necessary in the context in which in Cluj has formed the largest French academic community east of Switzerland. At this time, in Cluj there are more French students than in Moscow.

There are three universities in Cluj which offer studies in French: The Babeş-Bolyai University, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy and The University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.

once again the strong links between Romania and Italy, which dates back to the Roman Empire. The common cultural legacy is impressive.

The University of Medicine from Cluj is the university with the largest number of foreign students in Romania and most of them are French. The French community founded a rugby team in Cluj, CS Mănăştur. Moreover, the presence of the Francophone Business Club and of the French Institute emphasizes the importance of the economic and cultural dimensions of the franchises present, so has the solidity of historical bonds between the Romanian and French people. French has become the business language and the number of French companies that are present in Cluj has grown significantly in areas such as IT, industrial production, energy or food industry.

The Honorary Consulate of The Kingdom of Netherlands is led by Wouter Reijers. The foundation of this honorary consulate is the result of the development of Romanian-Dutch relationships at an unprecedented rate. The Netherlands is the main foreign investor in the Romanian economy; moreover it is one of the main commercial partners of Romania. The Dutch Business Club is functioning in Cluj-Napoca; which has over 40 member companies and recently opened the Dutch Cultural Centre.

The Honorary Consulate of Italy is led by Radu Pâslaru.

Its importance is given by the large number of Italian companies present in Transylvania but also by the fact that there is a large Romanian community in Italy. The economic and cultural bonds between these two countries have developed a lot. In Cluj-Napoca there is also an Italian Cultural Centre and this only serves to emphasize www.clujbusiness.ro

The Turkish Honorary Consulate is led by the businessman Vasile Vita. The establishment of this honorary consulate is not only the result of historical ties between Transylvania and Turkey but also of the strong economic Turkish presence in this area of Romania.

The Honorary Consulate of Poland from Câmpia Turzii, led by Robert Milczarek is also the result of the common historical relationships and the development of bilateral relationships. Poland is one of the most important commercial partners of Romania. In addition to that, the dynamic of the Polish investments in Transylvania is impressive. The Polish companies are more and more present in domains like the food industry, commerce, logistics and industrial production.

The Honorary Consulate of Slovenia in Cluj is led by Lucia Morariu, who is a former secretary of state for tourism in the Romanian Government. The economic cooperation between Romania and Slovenia is quickly developing especially in tourism and pharmaceutical areas.

Austria is represented in Cluj through a Commercial Office at Austria’s Embassy. Austria is one of the most important investors in Romania, so as one of the most active partners in the cultural field. In Cluj there is an Austrian Cultural Centre.

The relationships of Cluj with Africa are held through the Honorary Consulate of Sierra Leona led by Viorel Zaharia and those with Latin America are held through the Honorary Consulate of The Republic of Chile led by Mircea Popescu. Even though the economic relationships between Cluj and these countries are at a low level, the growth potential is very high.

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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Bogdan Herea, head of C.FAC the Frech Business Club in Cluj, on France National Day, 2015

Cluj-Napoca, th of Global Busin 18 | Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City

www.transylvaniatoday.ro

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

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he ever developing economic dynamics, leading industries and qualified workforce have transformed Cluj into a major hub for global business.

Some of the most important companies in the world have set up factories and offices in the capital city of Transylvania, while some local brands have made their mark globally. The most important business communities have grouped themselves in different clubs based on ethnic, geographic or linguistic criteria. These clubs make up the International Committee, an informal structure bringing together several business clubs: German, French, British, Dutch, Belgian, Asian, Scandinavian, South African, as well as the Hungarian and Turkish business clubs. Negotiations are in progress for the Spanish and Italian clubs to join this business network. Romanian companies are widely represented in these clubs, and some of them are grouped in local associations as well, such as the Employers’ and Craftsmen’s Association and Businesswomen’s Association. These business environment structures foster interaction between companies and different investors’ communities, as well as a well-structured dialogue between the business environment and local authorities.

Many of these clubs are also keenly involved in the development of educational or cultural projects.

he City ness www.clujbusiness.ro

The German Business Club of Northern Transylvania brings together companies from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Romania. The member companies have created over 20,000 new jobs. Some of the member companies are specialized in infrastructure work, such as Project Lupp, logistics, such as Karl Heinz Dietrich, tax consultancy, such as Contafiscal, printing, such as Impress, or electronics industry, such as Bosch. Bosch itself has invested over 77 million Euros in a factory built on the Tetarom III Industrial Park within the Jucu commune. This investment took place during the worse period of the last economic crisis in 2008 - 2012 and it represented a clear sign of confidence in Romanian industry. The German companies are involved in developing the dual education, which is meant to ensure high-quality workforce. Also, some German IT-oriented companies finance certain projects, such as the development of studies in German language at the Babeş-Bolyai Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. The Austrian companies, members of the German-speaking business club, are involved in developing projects, such as the START dual school Austrian Technical School in Romania - Transylvania. The German companies organize every autumn, in the first weekend of October, the Autumn Festival of German Economy - Herbstfest, where you can enjoy a beautiful blend of fun, cuisine, culture, education, business and of course German beer.

The French Business Club in Cluj is another great organization of international business environment. This club includes French, Belgian, Canadian, Swiss companies, but also businesses with US or Romanian capital. Together, these companies have created over 10,000 new jobs.

Some of the companies in the French Business Club in Cluj are IT-oriented, such as Pitech + Plus, others are retail Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City | 19

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The management board of DWNT - the German Speaker Businessmen from Northern Transylvania Club companies, like Carrefour and Cora, while other companies are involved in the production of components for the energy industry, such as Energom. There are also companies from the banking sector, such as BRD Societe Generale, or the insurance sector, such as Groupama.

This French business structure also includes Emerson, a company of US origins. It has the largest Greenfield-type investment in the Cluj County, amounting to over 100 million US dollars. Emerson has invested in the Tetarom II Industrial Park in Cluj-Napoca, where it set up factories that produce engines for wind power stations, gas regulators, as well as software. Another company of American origins that belongs to the French Business Club is Deloitte, a world leader in the auditing field. The French Business Club finances school competitions whereby they aim to arouse the students’ interest in French, considered a language of business and science.

The Dutch Business Club groups over 40 companies with Dutch capital. In general, they are companies that have invested large amounts in the high-technology sector.

Dutch investors are present in areas such as IT, through companies like ISDC or Yonder, which is among the most innovative players in the industry, pension funds for Aegon, but also through companies in the food industry, such as Napolact, which is part of the FrieslandCampina group. Dutch businessmen are also present in sectors such as conveyor belts production, logistics and consulting. Their companies are involved in many educational projects as well.

The British-Romanian Chamber of Commerce in Cluj includes companies that founded the British Business Group Transylvania. They are present in areas such as telecommunications, software or industrial production.

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British investment drives the booming IT sector in Cluj, with the largest IT companies operating in Cluj, such as Endava, Betfair , VE interactive, Xoomworks, SDL, Global Lingo, and Vodafone, all employing thousands of highly skilled IT workers and numerous local IT companies provide outsourcing services to many UK clients. The British presence is also felt strongly in one of the most important areas of Cluj’s future development, education. The two leading international schools in Cluj both teach a UK curriculum. Hull EMBA business school provides a cutting edge MBA program to Cluj’s aspiring executives. With the presence of the British Council accrediting English language skills and the recent arrival of The Duke of Edinburgh Award program, British investment is ensuring Cluj’s next generation is well equipped for the ever-changing global market.

The member companies of the Asian business club are mostly companies with Indian capital. They are present in the catering sector, but also in service outsourcing and software production. These companies include the Indigo restaurant, Evalueserve and Genpact.

South African companies are few in number, but their businesses are some of the most developed. Such would be the case of the SABMiller trust, which owns some of the most important beer brands in Romania, Blue Projects a project management company who build factories globally and NEPI, a company that has invested in some of the most important real estate projects in the field of commercial premises and offices, including The Office complex in Cluj.

Even though the other foreign business clubs in Cluj are smaller, their appearance shows growing dynamics of www.transylvaniatoday.ro

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

The inauguration of BRCCC - the British-Romanian Chamber of Commerce in Cluj, in April 2016 the international community in Transylvania. Scandinavian companies, for example, are present in areas such as ironworks, through Norstal, or in agriculture. The Hungarian companies are present in areas such as trade or food industry, while the Turkish ones are most active in logistics and trade of electronic components.

Among the Romanian business associations from Cluj, the Businesswomen’s Association’s main goal is to encourage feminine entrepreneurship. But this

organization also supports educational projects such as Cluj Youth General Culture Olympics, one of the most important school competitions dedicated to pupils and students.

The Employers’ and Craftsmen’s Association brings together both large companies such as Farmec, the owner of the Gerovital cosmetic brand, but also smaller companies that join forces in order to perform both on the local and the global market.

The members of AFA - the Cluj Business Women Association and the winners of the general knowledge contest, April 2016 www.clujbusiness.ro

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BUSINESS

TETAROM – a Successful Model for Romania and Central Europe

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etarom Industrial Parks are showcasing one the most accomplished business models in Romania, these have also marked a victory for the economy of Central Europe. This year, Tetarom SA celebrates 15 years of activity, years full of experience, hard work and accomplishments!

In 2001, Cluj County Council and Mr. Viorel Găvrea founded the company. Tetarom Industrial Parks Cluj are the biggest operational industrial parks in Romania. Names like Nokia, Bosch, De’Longhi, Emerson, Karl Heinz Dietrich, Energobit, speak for themselves when it comes to mentioning major clients. With a portfolio of 4 industrial parks (Tetarom I-IV) and a Science Park (Tetapolis), with over 2.8 million square meters of land dedicated to investments, over 70 clients, a value of investments of over 400 million Euros and more than 5.000 jobs created, we can definitely say that Tetarom Industrial Parks aim for Excellency!

However, the outset of the project had its hiccups, as the general manager of the company, Viorel Găvrea recalls: “When we started the project in 2001, the parks instilled a new breath of life, maybe too bold at the time given the lack of similar business models in the country; nevertheless, in time, this proved to be a success model due to our committed and determined actions. We have truly started from scratch, no know-how, no special procedures, just with a clear idea of what we want to accomplish and armed with a load of optimism and a contagious enthusiasm, typical for any beginning”.

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Tetarom’s story started with a single park, the one we call today Tetarom I. Nowadays, Tetarom SA, has under its administration three industrial parks: Tetarom I, II, III, and it’s building a fourth one, as well as a science park.

The permanent goals on their agenda, established at the very beginning, were the stimulation of local economic growth, the attraction of local and foreign investors and stopping the migration of specialists abroad. A decade and a half later, the management team of Tetarom may rightfully claim that they have achieved these objectives.

“Anyone working in marketing will know how many material resources, logistics, advertisement strategies and profit analyses were needed to launch such a project.

Our case was a happy one. Close to having no budget at all, the promotion of the industrial parks functioned by itself, and the brand increased its fame following the signing of the assignment contract for the entire surface of the Industrial Park Tetarom I with 27 ha (currently 32 ha), before the official opening in 17th of November 2005. The rest was smooth sailing. The orders were in high demand and Tetarom I was shortly fully occupied. This called for the construction of the second park. So, in 2006, Tetarom II arrived on the scene. Signing a contract with the company Emerson SRL, the Romanian counterpart of the American company Emerson Electric, the 12 ha of this park were occupied in their entirety”, says Viorel Găvrea.

But then again, it was not enough. There was a need for a third park, so in March 2007, Tetarom III opened, havwww.transylvaniatoday.ro

BUSINESS

Emerson and Agressione office buildings ing a total surface of 154 ha. ”Tetarom I and II are currently completely commissioned, while Tetarom III is 95% assigned”, says the Chief Marketing Officer of Tetarom, Adela Mîrza. The success reaped by Tetarom’s team did not go by unnoticed. The Romanian Government, confronted with the difficulties encountered by other industrial parks in the country, decided to outspread Cluj’s model to a national level, on account on their undisputable success in the sector.

“The success of the industrial parks Tetarom and the fact that they attracted high-rank investors such as: Nokia, Emerson, Bosch, Karl Heinz Dietrich, Banca Transilvania, Agressione, Energobit and Brinel, prompted the Romanian Government to try and implement this model overall, and we are honoured by this action”, states Viorel Găvrea.

Ever since its launch in 2001, Tetarom picked up a fast pace in its development. Currently, it administers over 2.8 million square metres: lands, office spaces, production halls, logistic parks. Basically, TETAROM SA is overseeing three industrial parks which accommodate over 70 companies; all while putting together a fourth park. Namely, we are referring to TETAROM I, with a surface of 320.000 m2, located in Cluj- Napoca, 47 Tăietura Turcului Street, Tetarom II, with 120.000 m2, located in Cluj-Napoca, 4 Emerson Street, and Tetarom III, with 1.540.000 m2 - located in Jucu, Cluj County. The latter gained a lot of traction in the international press, due to their accomplishment in attracting household names like Nokia, then Bosch and DeLonghi.

Tetarom IV, with a surface of 850.000 m2, will be in Feleacu commune, Cluj County. Some of the top investors of the three parks are: Emerson (electrical engines), www.clujbusiness.ro

with an investment value of approximately 200 million Euros, which in turn generated over 2500 jobs, De’Longhi (house appliances), with an investment of 32.5 million Euros, which created over 700 new jobs, Bosch (auto components), with an estimated investment value of 77,4 million Euros and over 500 jobs, Karl Heinz Dietrich (logistics), with investments of 18 million Euros and over 80 jobs, and Banca Transilvania (IT - Data Centre), with an investment value of 10 million Euros and over 400 jobs.

Other top investors in the parks are Agresionne (office supplies), Energobit (energetic), Brinel (IT) or Star Storage (IT). In total, the investment value of the three parks amounts to over 400 million Euros, while the number of jobs created exceeds 5000.

Some of the investments in the industrial parks were also supported with the aid of the government, thus Romanian authorities were able to provide financial aid in agreement with the European legislation. The companies located in the industrial parks are also paying the lowest tax rate required by law: 0.25% (local tax). Tetapolis is also a generous project still under development: the first science and technology park in Cluj-Napoca.

With the aid of IASP (International Association of science Parks) and Cluj Universities, this could be the peak of Tetarom’s accomplishments. Tetarom model is one of the best among business infrastructures, because it started as a pioneering one, a bold, daring vision of a man who believed in a dream, embraced and supported by local/ regional administration.

www.tetarom.ro Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City | 23

BUSINESS

Transilvania Construcții – The Future is Promising T ransilvania Construcții is a company with a long tradition in construction and real estate development market in Romania, listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. Being a family business allowed certain flexibility and an entrepreneurial spirit that contributed decisively to the development of the company and the overcoming of difficult moments. Among the most important projects are Cluj Arena Stadium, CFR Dr. Constantin Radulescu Stadium and a residential project of 26 blocks in partnership with Cluj-Napoca Town Hall. Regarding personal projects the most important is Parc Logistic Transilvania, an industrial park located near Cluj-Napoca airport with a surface of​​ 20ha of land and 10ha of warehouse space.

The company’s vision is to become one of the largest developers and managers of income generating properties in Eastern Europe with a main focus on industrial real estate. The implementation of this strategy began in 2014 by increasing labor productivity and the efficiency of internal procedures, cost reduction, rethinking financing facilities and planning and implementing the development plan. A blend of expertise in construction and the advantage of property management on local real estate market, allowed the flexibility to meet customer requirements quickly and efficiently. These advantages have helped the company grow in the last two years and laid the foundations for future developments.

Andrei Timofte, CEO of Transilvania Construcții SA.

“The development strategy is to increase our portfolio of industrial spaces by creating a national network of industrial parks. Also, we carefully analyse the market for opportunities that can contribute to the company’s growth. The development areas targeted are the north-west and center of Romania and, of course, Cluj, that has a great potential for development. We want to increase our portfolio by developing new Class A spaces in strategic locations that add value to our customers. We expect an accelerated growth in the next 5 years and we estimate the construction of over 200.000 sqm of warehouses, basically a tripling of the existing portfolio of spaces, “said Andrei Timofte, CEO of Transilvania Construcții SA. 2015 was a positive year, with financial results in line with forecasts, which aimed increasing the rent roll and lowering the vacancy rate. Compared to 2014 we managed to reduce vacancy below 5% and increase the leasing portfolio with 33%.

The main objective for 2016 is the increase of the lease portfolio by developing two new projects and also, identifying the acquisition of strategically positioned land for the development of national industrial parks.

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BUSINESS

Main projects for 2016 The company focuses this year on two main projects. The first project, Novis Plaza, is an integrated project with modern Class A offices and a net rentable area surface of ​​14.171 sqm located in a well-known business area close to downtown Cluj-Napoca. “We were drawn into this project because of its location that offers excellent public transport nearby and the possibility of developing an integrated project with numerous amenities, car parking lots and generous common spaces that can create a satisfying environment for future tenants”, said Andrei Timofte, CEO of Transilvania Construcții SA. The first phase will be completed in August 2016 and will offer 7.879 sqm net rentable area.

The second project is a new industrial park, TRC Park Cluj, located in Jucu. TRC Park Cluj is the first project that is part of the national development strategy offering Class A facilities at competitive prices. The park has a surface of 16ha of land, with the first stage comprising a 17.000 sqm warehouse available in November 2016. This project is designed for companies that need quality spaces such as production companies, e-commerce or 3PL.

www.transilvaniaconstructii.ro www.clujbusiness.ro

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BUSINESS

Office Buildings that Change the Face of the City United Business Center

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he last two decades have brought important transformations in the way the relationship between the economy and the local community is designed. After the ashen age of communism in which all available energies and funds were focused on developing a productive industry which was polluting and inefficient, Romania has returned to a capitalist economy in which the environment protection conditions and the responsibility to the community were added to the criterion of the economic efficiency.

This approach has generated a larger need for modern office spaces which correspond to the more accentuated dynamics of some economic sectors such as the IT industry or support services area. Even though there are already developed very interesting and innovative projects in the city, the luxury office space offered by the market is below the demand. That is why many businessmen invest in this kind of projects. Moreover, the local administration has stimulated the adoption of the highest standards. The Local Council and the Mayor of Cluj have decided to grant tax breaks to the owners of green buildings. So they pay a tax rate of 0.25 per cent of the property value, if these buildings are in the energetic A class and are certified as so by one of the worldwide accredited systems: LEED, BREEAM or DNGB

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The first office building from Cluj that received the Gold certification from the experts of LEED was the Amera Tower, created in the proximity of the Industrial Park Tetarom I, at the initiative of businessman Ambrus Adam. Amera Tower has owned this certificate since 2012. The Amera Tower complex has already managed to attract prestigious clients like the German energy group EON, insurance company Groupama, with French origins, but also Halcyon Mobile, a software development company. The Example of Amera Tower was followed by other companies that created green buildings. Experts in the real estate market say that the development of such projects is fundamental in order to attract new investors to Cluj, to ensure the expansion of the companies that are already present in the Cluj market and to help the managers of the Cluj companies to develop an efficient policy of corporate responsibility through promotion regarding the environment. A project that is on the same level of interest is announced to be Novis Plaza, developed by one of the most prestigious local companies, Transilvania Construcţii.

At present, Cluj offers a large variety of office spaces. An interesting project is The Office; it was expanded by the

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BUSINESS

Iulius Business Center

Cluj Business Center

South-African group NEPI. This project involved the conversion of the former factory of knitwear Someş’s space into a project that gave a new aspect to the urban area around the centre of the city in which this office building is situated. The new complex The Office attracted prestigious companies like Deloitte, Yardi and Tui Travel. There are other examples of success in the domain of the conversion of former industrial areas, which were transformed into modern business centres. The former sweets factory Feleacul has become Cluj Business Center. This real estate complex offers office spaces for companies like AROBS Transylvania Software or SAP, but also offers a headquarter for Royal School in Transylvania.

Cluj Business Center is situated around the centre of Cluj, in the Mărăşti quarter.

service spaces, including a television headquarter. The second institute which became an office space is Institute Project which is situated exactly in the heart of the city across from the City Hall. This building includes the ING bank’s Headquarter as well as companies like RCS-RDS and iQuest.

Furthermore, there are two former research and design institutes that were converted into modern office spaces.

Sigma Centre is situated in Zorilor quarter, at a few minutes distance from the city centre. This complex includes commercial spaces with supermarkets, restaurants, shops and bakeries. Above all those there is an office zone and

On the list of modern office buildings in Cluj can be found The Iulius Business Centre situated in the Gheorgheni quarter near Iulius Mall and Univers T hotel, and the office building on the Dorobanţilor street in the proximity of The Palace of Justice and The Finance Palace: Silver Business Centre. On the same street nearby the County Library is situated the office building called Olimpia Business Centre. This list has only an exemplary role due to the fact that there are many more modern office buildings in the Mihai Viteazu Market, on the streets of Cuza Vodă and George Bariţiu, in the Gheorgheni quarter, on Constantin Brâncuşi street and practically in every quarter of the city and in this way building which provide office spaces at the highest of international standards have been created.

The Office www.clujbusiness.ro

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BUSINESS

Leveraging Intellectual Property – a Key Enabler for Future Economic Growth Adriana Lobdă – Deloitte Audit Partner

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ntellectual Property (IP) matters. Whereas three decades ago, the majority of business investment was in people or physical assets like premises and machinery, today the majority of business investment is in intangible goods, in ideas and creativity.

Global stock markets appreciate the rising importance of IP with the world’s top 25 companies traded on average 7.5 times their net assets value. Net asset value typically does not include the value of IP (trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs, geographical indications or trade secrets) or other intangible assets such as customer relationships, software, distribution channels or favorable contracts as accounting standards principally prohibit their recognition.

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The transition towards a knowledge-based, digital economy is also observable for start-ups and small and medium sized entities (SME). As the value added of SMEs increased significantly after the economic crisis on an average to 58% in 2014 for EU 28 countries, Romania still lags behind with 50% value added revealing further potential for its SMEs. Information technology, commerce and education have been the most active sectors, all driven by IP. Besides finding customers, regulation, competition and availability of a skilled workforce, access to finance is one of the biggest challenges for SMEs. Although equity investors acknowledge IP as critical factors when evaluating prospective deals or investments, knowledge assets are not appreciated in mainstream www.transylvaniatoday.ro

BUSINESS

lending. Knowledge-intensive start-ups and SMEs have the greatest need of finance for growth. They generally rely on bank lending or asset finance to raise capital, but financiers remain strongly focused on traditional assets (real estate, equipment, inventories or receivables) due to perceived lack of marketability of intangible assets, lack of underwriters to transfer risk, insufficient understanding of IP value and unfavorable impacts on regulatory KPIs such as capital adequacy ratios.

Commercial banks typically oversee the benefits of IP-backed financing such as: a) Potential for value appreciation – IP assets of a well-run business increase in value over time, whereas the value of most tangible assets depreciates. b) A wider pool of assets – the value of core intangible assets provides a mean to lend more with additional security beyond established lending ratios. c) Stronger repayment incentives – where intangibles are core to business activity, they provide a powerful incentive for borrowers to honor repayment commitments. d) Improved security – defining intellectual assets as part of a lending agreement puts a bank in a stronger position with an administrator in the event of financial difficulties. e) Alternative to personal guarantees – IP provides additional security, directly related to a company and not an individual, thereby making it easier to recover funds if necessary.

To overcome the limitations and difficulties associated with current practice with regard to IP-backed financing and to leverage intangible value to the maximum extent, a holistic program encouraging IP investments will be paramount, covering the following aspects: a) Awareness: companies need to identify, manage and value their IP assets and communicate these to all stakeholders; b) Dialogue: development of a framework to support a better dialogue between businesses and lenders, as well as investors that will help businesses to articulate their IP, how it is secured and how it supports the future cash flow of the business; c) Markets: development of markets for trading IP to establish value with greater transparency;

Lars Wiechen – Partner Financial Advisory Services providing lenders greater confidence in managing the risk profiles associated with these assets; e) Accounting: working towards the full recognition of intangible assets in companies’ financial statements; f ) Risk: an insurance model for IP which can be used to underwrite loans, and effectively separate business risk from IP risk for lenders; g) Information: better explanation on legal aspects of IP rights, validity, ownership and charges which would underpin both markets and insurance.

The development of such a framework will require strong partnerships between relevant representatives from banking and finance associations, financial services regulators, accounting and valuation standard setters, specialized IP lawyers, European and local IP offices besides other stakeholders.

Making sure that entrepreneurs, innovators and creators can translate their investment in the creation of intellectual property assets into value is key to our economies’ long-term growth prospects. A key factor in unlocking this potential is ensuring access to capital for those businesses with the greatest growth potential, namely IP-rich start-ups and SMEs, holding true in both a European and Romanian context.

www.deloitte.ro

d) Valuation: training and adoption of recognized standards for IP valuation and value management www.clujbusiness.ro

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BUSINESS

Erika Hristea – CEO and founder of Secpral Pro Instalaţii

GO Green with SPI! W

ith 100% Romanian capital, SECPRAL PRO INSTALAŢII (SPI) is a privately owned family business from Cluj, one of the most important companies in Romania in the field of plumbing and heating materials, also in conventional and renewable energy equipment distribution.

The headquarters and first warehouses were established in Cluj-Napoca, in the heart of Transylvania. They have been offering products and solutions around Romania through their branches located in Bucharest, Sibiu, Braşov, Timişoara, Craiova, Roman and Oradea, schooling during the years, developing and respecting a network of more than 650 independent distribution partners.

Due to the direct and stable relationships lasting more than 18 years with, presently, 42 suppliers originating from western Europe, SPI can offer distributors and direct customers not only high quality products, but practical, customized solutions and long lasting values. SPI is distributing and

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implementing European and worldwide highly valued brands, performance, guarantee and assured quality.

“The values we believe in influence the way we act!”- said Erika Hristea, the general manager and founder of SPI. “We believe that it is our responsibility to take care of the quality of the world we live in, the environment, and the buildings we built up, through our quality and long term lasting installations, offering sustainable solutions for future generations. We thought, from the beginning, about the importance of long term relationships”, added Mrs. Hristea.

SPI understood from the beginning that they must adopt an energy efficient attitude. Energy efficiency means producing more with less energy. The benefits of energy efficiency are numerous, but the top reasons why people, companies and governments should choose to use energy more efficiently are: environmental protection, improving the quality of life – body, mind and soul –, and saving money on a long term basis. www.transylvaniatoday.ro

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SPI started “Going green” many years ago by distributing and implementing in Romania energy efficient products and equipment based on renewable energy. SPI considers “Going green” more as a way of living, thinking and feeling. “Go green” is a personal choice.

As proof, most of the energy efficient products promoted by SPI on the Romanian market are also installed in their own facilities: solar thermal systems preparing domestic hot water for the warehouses; heat pumps for the headquarter in Cluj, respectively offices and warehouses from Bucharest for heating and passive/active cooling; photovoltaic solar systems, both in Cluj and Bucharest etc.

Atmos (Czech Rep.) solid fuel gasification boilers, DZD (Czech Rep.) water tanks, Termet (Poland) gas boilers functioning on the condensation principle, Thermosolar (Slovak-German) flat collector based solar systems, Ritter Solar (German) systems based on evacuated tube solar collectors, Viega (German) systems, the Swedish Thermia heat pumps, the Spanish Arco new anti-lime Vitaq valves, or the Wawin-Ekoplastik new EVO-PPR system are only a few of the many products from SPI’s “Go Green” offer, contributing to a better, more energy-efficient future in Romania.

www.clujbusiness.ro

SPI clients and partners understand these values; sustain the mission “Go green”, proven with results and the success of the “Open Gate Days” events organized for the fifth time in 2016 all over Romania.

SPI is very thankful for the encouraging and positive messages left by the more than 650 partner distribution companies.

SPI is confident that their mission is the right one and they will manage to contribute to creating a better, healthier, happier, more energy efficient life and future in this part of the world, in Romania.

“Go green with SPI’s products!”

www.secpralpro.ro

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EN ERGY CO NN E C T WITH US

INFRASTRUCTURE

ROMÂNI A

INDUSTRY

ENVIROMENTAL CONSTRUCTIONS

CIVIL CONSTRUCTIONS

PROFESSIONALISM GUARANTEED QUALITY PROMPTITUDE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

ELECTRICAL PANNELS & AUTOMATION DIVISON

A company founded in 2006 with the aim of covering many sectors in the vast field of electricity, telecommunications and IT solutions, by means of a viable price policy, adapted to the needs of the market, in the hope of providing high quality services to the potential clients.

We rely on the professionalism and exceptional training of our young team at ELECTRO ENERGETICA, for providing high quality services, using the modern technology and facilities of our company.

ELECTRO ENERGETICA is especially focused on responsibility regarding the standardization of working methods adapted to the applicable legal requirements and norms, by implementing, improving and refining the quality management system, environmental protection and occupational health and security.

ELECTRO ENERGETICA S.R.L. 4-5, 1 Mai Square, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 400141 Tel: +40 264 431 609 Fax: +40 264 431 609

office@electroenergetica.ro www.electroenergetica.ro

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www.clujbusiness.ro

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BUSINESS

Contafiscal — An Accounting Firm Fluent Not Only in the Language of Numbers Georgiana Costin, financial auditor, tax advisor and partner at Contafiscal Steuerberatung SRL

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nvestors seeking to establish their business in Romania should know that in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania`s largest city, they are offered tax and accounting services of the highest quality and, most importantly, in their own language. Providing audit, advisory and accounting services addressing the needs of foreign investors doing business in Cluj and Romania, Contafiscal Group stands out from similar companies on the market as it invests in cutting-edge technology and delivers services using dedicated customer- requested software such as SAP, ERP, SAGE, or Winmentor, with great attention to detail and a competent team of highly qualified and multilingual employees (fluent in German, English, Italian, Romanian), in a multicultural city.

What do you need to know before starting a business in Romania? The first thing one should find out is the minimum share capital required to set up a limited liability

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company (Ltd) [in Romanian: societate cu răspundere limitată – SRL], namely only RON 200 (EUR 40), or a jointstock company [in Romanian: societate pe acţiuni] – RON 90,000 (EUR 20,000).

The second question most frequently asked by those who are interested in Romanian economy regards taxation. A new Tax Code will become effective as of 2016, with a series of amendments laying down investor-drawing leverages.

One of the most important changes under the new Tax Code is VAT reduction. As of 2016, the general VAT rate drops from 24% to 20%, and to 19% starting with 2017.

Also, a 9% VAT rate applies to medicinal products, hotel accommodation, food, and restaurant and catering services. Another amendment is the extension of the scope of 5% VAT rate to books, textbooks, magazines, admiswww.transylvaniatoday.ro

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sion to cultural or sporting events, and admission to museums, house museums, trade fairs, or exhibitions.

The VAT rate for the sale of social housing remains at 5%.

Another aspect is the extension of the reverse charge scheme (VAT simplification without actual payment of VAT) to buildings, parts of buildings and lands, mobile phones, video game consoles, tablets, PCs and laptops.

As for micro-enterprises (companies whose taxable earnings amounted to less than EUR 65,000 at the end of the preceding financial year, with consulting and management services accounting for less than 20% of total revenue), their income is currently taxed at 3%.

turnover (previously, the threshold stood at 3‰) without exceeding 20% of the profit tax and may be carried forward over a period of 7 years.

The new Tax Code sets forth a dividend tax exemption which may be claimed if the person who receives the dividend has held more than 10% of the share capital of the affiliated company for over one year. As of 1 January 2017, the tax on dividends will be set at 5%.

Last but not least, another incentive concerns the flatrate expenditure ceiling for rental and leasing earnings, which in 2016 will increase from 25% to 40%.

Starting from 2016, a one-employee micro-enterprise will be taxed at a rate of 1% in the first 24 months of business if its associates/shareholders have never owned equities in other legal entities.

Furthermore, foreign investors will have more business development opportunities as they can access EU funds or apply for national funding under IT technology purchase programmes.

There is also a series of profit tax incentives. For example, tax relief is provided for any profit reinvested in computers and invoicing equipment. Moreover, social charges may be deducted up to 5% of salary costs (compared to 2%, the 2015 threshold for such expenditure). Sponsorship expenses can reduce profit tax by 5‰ of the

In this context, by 2020, the companies doing business on the Romanian market will be able to access EUR 30.6 billion in EU funds available under different programmes aimed at competitive skills development, investment, infrastructure as well as regional and human development, with grants accounting for 60-90% of the required capital.

Services provided by Contafiscal Steuerberatung SRL in German, English, Italian, and Romanian: • Financial audit • Tax advisory • Insolvency/liquidation • Accounting • Employee record-keeping and payroll accounting • Financial analysis • Business valuation

www.clujbusiness.ro

www.contafiscal.ro

Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City | 35

BUSINESS

Taxation in Romania – Useful Hints for Foreign Investors

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tarting 2016, a new Fiscal Code and its implementing provisions, respectively a new Fiscal Procedural Code are in force, these being the main legislative norms in the taxation field.

The profit tax rate (the Romanian corporate income tax rate) paid by companies is of 16%, but in fact the rate is higher because of some expenses which have a deductibility limited by law. Examples of expenses which are non-deductible or which have a limited deductibility are: the ones related to the company cars, representation expenses, social expenses, provisions for doubtful debtors, sponsorship costs, interest for some loans etc.

The sponsorship costs are non-deductible, but they can be deducted from the tax owed, within some limits. A fiscal facility granted when calculating the taxable profit is the supplementary deduction of 50% out of research and development expenses. Also, there is the possibility of tax exemption, under certain conditions, of the reinvested profit in technological and IT equipment.

Companies registering revenues below 100.000 Euro per year, out of which less than 20% are consultancy and management revenues, are subject to a mandatory micro-companies revenue tax instead of profit tax. Depending on the number of employees, this tax rate is of 1%, 2% or 3% of the revenues obtained (without deducting expenses). The companies that, at the moment of incorporation, have a share capital of at least 25.000 euro may choose to apply profit tax rules, thus being able to carry forward the losses from the beginning of their activity.

The value added tax system applicable in Romania is harmonized with the European Directive regarding the common system of VAT. The standard VAT rate is of 20% in 2016 and will be 19% starting with 2017. The reduced VAT rate of 9% is used for accommodation, medications, foodstuffs, catering and restaurant services. The reduced VAT rate of 5% is used for selling of so-called social houses, books, magazines, access to cultural and sport events. The reverse charge between VAT payers applies for delivery of cereals, waste, wood material, buildings and land, respectively computers.

In Romania individuals pay an income tax of 16% applicable to almost all categories of incomes, inclusively for the ones from salaries (exceptions: dividends, gambles, sales of immovable property etc.). Under certain conditions, quite easily achieved by software companies, the programmers are exempted from salary tax. Besides this tax, both the employer and the employee owe mandatory social contributions (the rate of employee’s conwww.clujbusiness.ro

Sorana Celina Cernea, chartered accountant, tax consultant and financial auditor IAS Expert S.R.L. tributions is of 16.5% of gross salary and the rate of employer’s contributions is of 23.45% of the gross salary for normal working conditions). The minimum wage in Romania is of 1.250 lei. The national average gross salary income used as a basis in 2016 is of 2.681 lei. Contributions to pension insurance are capped to a calculation base of five average salaries. Salary advantages (personal use of the goods and services provided by the employer), benefits, allowance and bonuses for rest leaves etc. are taxed the same as gross income.

Considering investors’ experience, despite bureaucracy and frequent legislative changes, overall benefits overcome disadvantages. Thus, the adoption of European legislation, as well as the low level of labour costs and the skilled employees make Romania an attractive destination for profitable foreign investments.

www.ias-expert.ro Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City | 37

BUSINESS

The City of Clusters R

omania’s line up to the European Union together with the global economic crisis has brought a new success model to Cluj-Napoca: the clusters.

The city is trying to become an important competitor within the global economy with the help of an organisation model that is rather new for the Romanian economy. These clusters are organisations which gather companies that activate in the same field together with universities and public authorities.

Two such clusters in IT Services and electronics activate in Cluj, and other four are developing in the furniture industry, agriculture and life sciences.

The city of Cluj has become an important national growth pole in the IT sector and the Cluj IT cluster is the catalyst of the economic booming in this field.

The development of new projects has had a major impact on the specialists’ job market. According to the representatives of Cluj IT cluster, the companies from Cluj are now ready to employ a great number of young people. Good wages, tax breaks, professional prestige and the excellent standard of living have brought to Cluj-Napoca many young people from other areas of the country and even from abroad.

The companies have started to employ professionals or managers even from the United Kingdom or Germany. As it is estimated, 2.000 new job opportunities will be available in this IT sector in the near future. According to Paris Match Magazine, around 20.000 people are working in this field. Also the Babeş-Bolyai University, the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and other universities are members of this cluster together with the local authorities. The most important project of the cluster is Innovation City- a project that aims to build a city of creativity and innovation on a surface of 250 hectares to offer 30.000 new job opportunities and mainly to attract investments of de approximately 300 million euros.

The other IT Cluster iTech Transilvania by ARIES Transilvania provides support in developing start-ups but also for improving professional skills for IT specialists.

Ambitious projects Another ambitious project is the Transylvanian Furniture cluster that aims to capitalize the Transylvanian traditions within the furniture industry and wood

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resources from the Western Carpathians. This cluster gathers approximately 20 companies from the field of furniture industry but also organisations such as the Association of Entrepreneurs and Professionals, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cluj-Napoca, the Technical University of Cluj, the Cluj County Council, the Regional Institute for Research, Education and Technologic Transfer and the North-West Regional Development Agency.

Another cluster is emerging in this field, called Holzbox. “At present we are a group of six companies forming this cluster which will promote, on the one hand, best practices in carpentry employed in the restoration of historical monuments, and on the other hand, the application of innovative solutions”, says vice-president of the cluster, Ilie Covriga Dragu.

The group of companies present in this new cluster will also facilitate further specialisation of workers, resulting in superior quality work. The cluster will back both the specialization of workers in this field and increasing the number of specialists involved in this industry. One of the challenges will be to eliminate monumental reconstruction work involving PVC joinery which is totally inappropriate for the use in historical buildings.

The new cluster will promote an internationally validated super-premium product created by the team that laid the basis of Acorn Wood: WoodArt. The company received European endorsement for doors and windows produced under this brand through exports to markets like Germany, Belgium or Hungary. The Cluj cluster will continue to focus on quality, while the products of its members will be allowed to carry the Holzbox Cluster logo only following certification by a quality manager. At the same time, the cluster will start procedures for obtaining the certifications necessary to using joinery products manufactured under the supervision of the Holzbox Cluster in the restoration of monumental constructions across Europe, thus hoping to become one of the most appreciated Romanian export goods entity.

The fourth cluster in the Cluj county is Agro-FoodInd. This organisation will make the most of the Transylvanian agriculture and the local food industry potential. This cluster was awarded the Silver Label in Cluster Management Excellence.

www.transylvaniatoday.ro

BUSINESS

www.clujbusiness.ro

Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City | 39

ClujBusiness Clujbusiness.ro is the platform created by the International Affairs and Investment department within the Municipality of Cluj-Napoca in order to promote the city from a business perspective - its mature stakeholders, its business calendar, its plans for the future. Our gratitude and most sincere thanks go to the partners who joined us and worked as a team on a pioneer community project - working as a cluster, together: Comknow, Evodesign, Fortech, Imprezzio Global, all members of iTech Transilvania Cluster by ARIES Transilvania and to Betfair Romania, as well.

In the Digital Age access to open innovation, information and communication are essential!

ARIES Transilvania offers support services for innovative SMEs and professional training courses, technical and soft skills, in ICT. We are supporting member companies in attending events, fairs and economic missions both at national level and abroad. iTech Transilvania cluster by ARIES aims at facilitating cooperative projects between its members and other companies/organizations from Romania and abroad.

We do our best to facilitate communication and collaboration between different stakeholders in our ecosystem: companies, universities and local public administration.

We have partnerships with national and international clusters and a trans-sectorial approach.

WWW.ARIES-TRANSILVANIA.RO

Our Focus: Mastery in Software Development

They chose us:

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106 Frunzisului Street, 400664, Cluj-Napoca Romania | T: +40 264 453303 | E: requests@fortech.ro www.fortech.ro

Offices: United States, Canada, Romania

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EDUCATION

Transylvania College, British School Overseas T

ransylvania College | The Cambridge International School in Cluj is the only school in Romania to offer a complete educational track, from nursery through high school, on two lines of study. The school offers a Romanian nursery and kindergarten from age one, then a choice between two parallel lines to the high school: the Romanian Primary School with the Romanian curriculum plus additional English from Grades 0 to 8, or the British International Line, from Reception to Year 9, which follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales.

The school has been granted British School Overseas (BSO) Status by the Department for Education in the UK, following rigorous accreditation inspections every three years. Transylvania College is the only school in the region to offer Cambridge International Examinations for GCSE and A-Levels. Students from around Romania and abroad have the opportunity to study at Transylvania College while being hosted in the school’s boarding facility, which offers placement for boys and girls aged from 11 years. The school is under the High Patronage of Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Margareta of Romania.

A rapidly growing school, which almost doubled its student body in the last three years thanks to its excellent reputation, Transylvania College offers a unique multicul-

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www.transylvaniatoday.ro

EDUCATION

There are many strengths at Transylvania College.

They include: –– The vision of the school is very strong: the owners are passionate about high standards and about making the best available for the students.

–– Students’ attitudes to school and to learning are very positive: their behaviour is very good in lessons and in social activities.

–– The quality of relationships is excellent. Students work well with one another and with staff. Their attitude to learning is very good.

–– The high quality of pastoral care and guidance provided for students results in them feeling secure and keen to learn.

–– The school’s system for personal development of secondary aged students is exemplary.

–– The distribution of leadership input and accountability ensures a significant and often passionate involvement from nearly all staff.

–– The school has a clear and open commitment to developing the involvement of parents in their child’s education: the parents note and appreciate this.

–– Teaching standards across the school are good: there are some excellent teachers here.

–– The creative approach to the curriculum and to students’ learning is highly effective. […] The work experience programme extends the horizon of learning into the world of work for all pupils in the high school.[…] The structure of House Captain/ Mentors/ Prefects/ Ambassadors provides secondary students with excellent opportunities to develop leadership and social skills.

Source: Penta International, BSO Report

tural learning environment in Romania; the 600 children enrolled here represent 25 nations, from 6 continents.

With a history of 23 years, Transylvania College offers an education based on values, the students being encouraged to strive for excellence, to respect diversity, to be creative and responsible. In addition to receiving the best education, in a state-of-the-art campus that allows them access to the latest technology, the children who study here are prepared to embrace life with all its opportunities and challenges.

Transylvania College is a fully Accredited Member of COBIS, a Global Member of Round Square, and it is the only school in Cluj with BSO status. It is the only school in Europe to be shortlisted in the “British International School of the Year” award category at the TES Independent School Awards 2015. The excellent academic programme and the complex offer of extra-curricular www.clujbusiness.ro

activities provided to students (the Duke of Edinburgh programme, the school’s leadership team, volunteering, debate team and work experience programmes) ensure that Transylvania College students become attractive candidates for prestigious universities.

The school’s graduates have been admitted to top universities around the world, in the UK (London School of Economics, Bath, Reading, Southampton, City University, King’s College London), Australia (Melbourne University), Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, and Romania.

Experienced and enthusiastic Romanian teachers work alongside teachers from the UK, from the United States of America, or from other parts of the world. The school has 107 teachers (12 holding a PH.D, 27 with Masters), who have representatives in the Senior Management Team, contributing to the development of the school.

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EDUCATION

Royal School in Transylvania

Photo: Nicu Cherciu

“Whatever the question, education is the answer”

The Royal School in Transylvania was oppened in the presence of HRH Prince Radu of Romania

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lthough the royalty concept is as old as the times, Royal School in Transylvania is a new school opened in September 2015 as a community asset for Cluj. The royal name of the school is not of political nature; it guarantees commitment to quality, values and ethos. This Fourth Way School is a bridge between education and society, a fountain school at the heart of the community, drawing people to it, providing aesthetic quality and irrigating the knowledge flow of the city. A fountain school is transparent in what it does and how it is managed. Royal School was opened by School 4 Europe Foundation, it is registered at COBIS (Council of British International Schools) and authorised by ARACIP. Royal School believes in strong public engagement, it offers equal respect to environment and ecology, community and the world of work, and it follows the English National Curriculum designed for real world learning and building learning power. Royal School’s goal is to educate and prepare students for responsible democratic citizenship.

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The Fourth Way Concept History needs a new fourth way education system for the 21st century, a true value school with a radically different approach that is emblematic and representative of the vibrant city of Cluj-Napoca.

The first way is the church school, the second way is the State school and the third way is the private school. The fourth way is to be represented by Royal School with a community approach to an organisational model for teaching and learning, a new community model of governance. It does not have a proprietor. The school possesses an inspiring and inclusive fountain vision allied with the ambition to draw people together into an uplifting common purpose that remains bigger than individual interests. “We believe education is the imperative investment in people and the most important single determinate for sustainable success in life”, says Julian Hingley, the creator of this concept. The school has a unique structure of 13 founders and a board of 39 govwww.transylvaniatoday.ro

EDUCATION

ernors from Romania and abroad, specialized in diverse areas of expertise.

Royal School education is mainly defined by the quality of its teachers so the management strives to ensure that students have high moral principles. In the long term, this will make all the difference in their life chances for success. The team wants to change the way education is delivered and perceived in Romania, and hopefully elsewhere in Eastern Europe.This Fourth Way project is for those who really want to change society and are willing to contribute.

Royal School curriculum is one for life, one aimed at engaging students to address real world problems, and our goal is to change the way people think about education.

The key pillars for creative education curriculum are media-literacy skills; global classroom; green education; technology; after school matters; community sustainability; performing arts.

Supportive parents, enthusiastic students Imagine Royal School when all students are excited to learn and want to be here. Imagine supportive parents extolling the dramatic changes they witness in their children. Imagine deep enthusiasm and excitement for school, for working on projects, research and learning after school and on weekends. Imagine students making exponential growth in their basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, researching, scientific exploration, multimedia skills and multi-literacy. Royal School is providing this choice and innovation for the Cluj hinterland. Parents may now choose a transparent international school of preference for their children, one that believes in strong public engagement and offers equal respect to environment and ecology, community

www.clujbusiness.ro

by appoitment of His Majesty King Mihai I of Romania

Royal School Values Transparency Education for character It belongs to the community Education, not profit Education for Europe Great teachers equals great education Moral principles and the world of work. The school promotes child-centred learning and new child protection and safety rights, providing the enriched English curriculum. We are educating young minds for responsible democratic citizenship.

This is all possible for Cluj because it is happening in schools around the globe. Come along and visit us. See the word in action. Whatever the question, Royal School education is the answer.

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EDUCATION

Why Study at UBB? B

abeş-Bolyai University (UBB) is located in Cluj-Napoca, right in the heart of the historical province of Transylvania, addressing the educational needs of individuals from all across Romania, but also Central and Eastern Europe. It now comprises more than 120 university buildings that are spread across the city. Today UBB’s patrimony includes around 200.000 square meters for education facilities and 100.000 square meters for student accommodation facilities.

Other facilities available for students and teaching staff include a large sports park (tracks, team sports grounds, sports halls and an aquatic centre), printing houses and bookstores, museums, conference and leisure facilities, the astronomical observatory, the most comprehensive botanical garden in the country, cafeterias and student restaurants.

UBB conceives its relationship to society as a way of both contributing to the technical, economic, scientific, social, and cultural development of the surrounding communities and of identifying new challenges and opportunities for the institution, especially with regard to the adaptation of its education programmes to respond to new social needs. The university acknowledges its obligation to use its teaching and learning, research and community engagement capacities to make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of the region and the country.

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The commitment to promote science and open the scientific community to the members of the community at large reside in the number and variety of the open lectures, public conferences and forums, as well as science events that were held by faculties and departments for a general audience. Lifelong learning constitutes a quite important focus for several departments of our university.

UBB differentiates itself within the national and international academic environment as a university with a strongly multicultural role and a distinctly expressed national and international outlook. The university hosts an important ERASMUS framework, conducted all over Europe (500 study agreements and 20 placement agreements) and having more than 800 students as beneficiaries, this year.

There are 17 cultural centres that are currently operational in UBB. They open their doors to different cultures, languages and ways of life, constantly enriching the international perspective of our students.

In the current academic year, the number of UBB`s international students is exceeding 900, from countries all over the world. The university extensions under the aegis of UBB are located in 12 Transylvanian cities: Bistriţa, Gheorgheni, Târgu Secuiesc, Năsăud, Odorheiu Secuiesc, Satu Mare, Sfântu Gheorghe, Sibiu, Sighetu Marmaţiei, Târgu Mureş, Vatra Dornei and Zalău. www.transylvaniatoday.ro

EDUCATION

Babeș-Bolyai University Tradition and Proficiency in Multiculturalism

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inguistic and cultural diversity are defining elements of UBB, representing a singularity not only in the Romanian academic environment, but also in European context. The multiculturalism project promoted by the Babeş-Bolyai University is considered according to European officials to be a continental model.

At Babeș-Bolyai University, students can study in Romanian, Hungarian, German, English, French and they can attend study programmes in the language they choose.

UBB owns 17 cultural centres that promote various cultures, languages and ways of life, constantly enriching the international perspective of our students.

At undergraduate level there are: • • • • •

153 specialisations in Romanian 75 specialisations in Hungarian 10 specialisations in German 12 specialisations in English 3 specialisations in French

These are “Bernhard Stillfried” Austrian Library, Northern Studies Library, British Council, “Casa do Brasil” Cultural Centre, Korean Cultural Centre, German Cultural Centre, Italian Cultural Centre, Russian Cultural Centre, Polish Centre for Language and Culture, Canadian Studies Centre, Belgian and French Language and Literary Studies Centre, Confucius Institute, Romanian French Institute of Cluj-Napoca, “Dr. Moshe Carmilly” Institute for Hebrew Studies and Jewish History, Institute of Turkish and Asian-Central Studies, African Studies Centre CESTAF and Camões Centre for Portuguese Language.

Babeş-Boylai University is involved in international multicultural programmes in collaboration with 138 universities in Europe, 36 universities in North America and South America, Universities in Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Through its mobility programmes 472 UBB students have had the opportunity to get in touch with other cultures, while 291 foreign students get into contact annualy with the Romanian culture through Babeş-Bolyai University.

At master’s level there are: • • • • •

175 specialisations in Romanian 40 specialisations in Hungarian 6 specialisations in German 38 specialisations in English 6 specialisations in French

www.clujbusiness.ro

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EDUCATION

Advanced Technical Education in Cluj-Napoca

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he Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, the only technical university in Transylvania, is one of the top twelve Romanian universities, established as “universities of advanced research and education”. The university has nine faculties in Cluj-Napoca, three in the North University Centre of Baia Mare and four academic extensions in important cities of Transylvania; more than 1,000 academic staff and around 20,000 students at the Bachelor, Master and PhD level. For the main location, in Cluj-Napoca, the courses are in the technical field, ranging from Electrical, Telecommunications, Electronics, Computers and Control Engineering to Mechanical, Manufacturing and Materials Engineering or to Architecture and Civil Engineering. In the North Centre of Baia Mare, together with Engineering topics, courses in Arts, Humanities and Science are offered.

The Technical University of Cluj-Napoca offers, in accordance with the Bologna Declaration, 4 year programmes for Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering, 3 year programmes for Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, Humanities or Sciences, as well as 2 year programmes for Master’s Degrees and 3 year PhD Programmes. The Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture is awarded through a 6 year programme.

Courses are offered in Romanian for all subjects and some are offered also in English, German or French. The programmes offered in English are: Automation and Applied Informatics (Bachelor); Computer Science (Bachelor); Civil, Industrial and Agricultural Constructions

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(Bachelor); Applied Electronics (Bachelor); Telecommunications Technology and Systems (Bachelor); Economical Engineering in Industry (Bachelor), Robotics (Bachelor and Master); Virtual Engineering and Competitive Manufacturing (Master). The Manufacturing Engineering (Bachelor) is offered in German also, in cooperation with Stuttgart University, as well as Innovative Produktionsprozesse und Technologie Management (Master), while the Master programme Processing of Signals and Images is offered in French, in cooperation with Bordeaux 1 University and Nice Sophia Antipolis University.

The research fields of interest cover Engineering and Technical topics, together with inter/multidisciplinary ones. In the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, high quality applied research, performed jointly with industry or serving the needs of the community, is a major task and is carried out by academic/research staff, PhD students and undergraduates/ graduates, in the modern laboratories of the more than 70 research structures registered in the university.

MINISTERUL EDUCA IEI NA IONALE

www.utcluj.ro www.transylvaniatoday.ro

EDUCATION

Boosting the Scientific Excellence and Innovation

I

n the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, high quality applied research, performed jointly with industry or serving the needs of the community, is a major task and is carried out by academic/research staff, PhD students and undergraduates/graduates, in the modern laboratories of the more than 70 research structures registered in the university.

Under the Horizon 2020 – EU funding Program: Meeting of Energy Professional Skills – (MenS), coordinated by Prof. Dan Doru Micu Consortium: Universitaet Kassel, University of Cyprus, Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessalonikis, Energy Consulting Network Aps, Brunel University London, Energia-Da Srl, Ss. Cyril And Methodius University In Skopje, Dublin Institute of Technology, Knowledge Transfer Network Limited, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Radio-Television Belge de la Communaute Francaise, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.

BISNet Transylvania, coordinated by Prof. Stelian Brad Consortium: Transylvania Branch of the Romanian Association for Electronic and Software Industry, Regional Development Agency – Central Region, Commerce and Industry Chamber Braşov, National Research and Development for Electric Engeneering Institute ICPE-CA, Regional Development Agency North-West, National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics.

InnoCAPTransylvania, coodinated by Prof. Stelian Brad Consortium: Regional Development Agency – Central Region, Commerce and Industry Chamber Braşov, www.clujbusiness.ro

National Research and Development for Electric Engeneering Institute ICPE-CA, Regional Development Agency North-West, National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics.

Strengthening the Research potential of CAREESD in the field of Electromechanical Systems and Power Electronics for Sustainable Applications – (ESPESA), coordinated by Prof. Claudia Martis Consortium: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Siemens Industry Software NV, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Universite De Technologie De Belfort – Montbeliard, Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft - Und Raumfahrt EV, Ecole Nationale Superieure D’arts Et Metiers.

Boosting the scientific excellence and innovation capacity in additive manufacturing of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (AMaTUC), coordinated by Prof. Balc Nicolae Consortium: Fachhochschule Aachen, Intelligentsia Consultants SARL, Loughborough University.

Automated Urban Parking and Driving (UP-Drive), coordinated by Prof. Sergiu Nedevschi Consortium: VOLKSWAGEN AG, Ceske Vysoke Uceni Technicke V Praze, IBM Research GMBH, Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich.

Demand Response in Block of Buildings (DR-BOB), coordinated by Prof. Dan Doru Micu Consortium: Teesside University, Servelect SRL, R2M Solution SRL, Siemens Public Limited Company, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Duneworks BV, Gridpocket SAS, Nobatek, Centre Scientifique ET Technique Du Batiment.

Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City | 53

University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine www.usamvcluj.ro

hh Ranks five in the top of the Romanian Universities of Advanced Research and Education – competition 2011 hh High Confidence Level - Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education hh ISO 9001:2008 (TÜV Austria) hh International Student Mobility Programmes

The Best University in Romania Where you can Study Veterinary Medicine in English and French The Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine University (USAMV) from Cluj-Napoca is the only one in Romania to have bachelor degree levels in English and French.

The fees are considerably lower in comparison to other countries.

It is the only member from Romania positively evaluated by EAEVE and ARACIS accredited.

The Veterinary Medicine Faculty from Cluj-Napoca has modern lecture halls, laboratories, intra mural and extra mural clinics for different animal species and an emergency hospital equipped with high standard equipment.

The campus offers many facilities to students: library, free internet, sports field and cafeteria, and good accomodation.

At USAMV there are students from France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Holland, Cyprus, Sweden, USA, Canada, Mauritius, that are able to support by themselves all their housing and studies costs.

The students’ enrolement is based on:

Fax. +4(0)264-593.792, Tel. +4(0)264-596.384

The baccalaureate average or equivalent – 85% Letter of motivation for choosing this profession and an essay – 10% Proof of voluntary community service and/or animal protection services – 5%

International relations office: iro@usamvcluj.ro

300 students for the English and French study lines.

Romania, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur St.

EDUCATION

Advanced Scientific Research at USAMV

T

he mission and strategy of USAMV Cluj-Napoca in the last decade has included as their main priorities excellence in education and advanced research, national and international competitiveness, regarded as prerequisites to become an entrepreneurial university connected to regional and local socio-economic environments.

Through its performance to be included in the top 12 universities with “advanced research and education”, according to the national classification of 2011, USAMV Cluj-Napoca has managed to consolidate its lead position among the profile universities in Romania, in innovative research in life sciences, integrated in the priorities of European Research Area (ERA).

This strategy is reflected in the management program and strategic plan of the current rector, a program which, since 2016, has undertaken scientific research as a sine qua non for national and international averment of the university.

European level efficient research requires addressing areas and major topics of mainstream scientific knowledge, applied research including invention, innovation and technology transfer of international interest, promote excellence in human resource selection and stimulate researchers and young people passionate about research, efficient use of existing infrastructure, financial sustainability provided through research contracts obtained through national or international competitions. It is obvious that many of these strategic objectives are based on tradition and prestige gained in time by some of the research laboratories at the university, which addressed areas and themes of international interest, having customized and brought national and international prestige to our university.

Research infrastructure, divided into research units (institutes, centres, laboratories), specific to well defined thematic areas, started with national accreditation (NURC) between 2000-2005, and was then continued through initiatives of the university management, based on criteria approved by the Senate on authorization of research centres and laboratory activities for fundamental or applied research, innovation, consultancy and technical services, technology transfer, in specific areas of life sciences and in engineering, technology, economics and rural development. Currently, the research infrastructure of USAMV Cluj-Napoca comprises 12 research centres, 22 research laboratories and one research institute Institute of Life Sciences, the first institute of its kind in the country. www.clujbusiness.ro

USAMV’s research programmes are integrated in the priorities of European Research Area (ERA) Later this year the Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania construction will be completed, where research will be conducted in 44 laboratories and eight experimental greenhouses equipped with the latest technology.

The research of USAMV Cluj-Napoca is oriented towards well-defined directions, specific to accredited departments and includes aspects of basic and applied research, updated in national and international context.

In this respect, the Research, Development and Innovation Council, based on the research topics of USAMV Cluj-Napoca through the research projects conducted and the scientific articles published, has developed a list of research areas, subject areas and priority issues in the agriculture (agronomy, horticulture, zoo-technology) and veterinary medicine, biotechnology, food science and technology, energy and environment.

Dissemination of USAMV research results at a national and international level has led to the acknowledgment of the highest institutional reference entities.

Thus research developed at the university falls within the smart priority areas set by the European Commission.

Transylvania Today Cluj Premium City | 55

Cluj, the Capital of Fun Cluj City Days

C

luj has become a true capital of fun in Romania.

The title of European Youth Capital which Cluj won in 2015 attracted important musical and cultural events. In Cluj, in 2015 the largest festival debuted.

Untold, which was dedicated to electronic music fans.

Approximately 250,000 people watched the show of stars like David Guetta, Avicii, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike or Armin van Buuren. And this year’s edition promises to be even more spectacular than the last. Some names have already confirmed their presence at the festival such as Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Tiesto, Faithless or Parov Stelar.

From 4 to 7 August, when Untold 2016 will take place, there will be no available rooms in the hotels and hostels of Cluj, so the youngsters who come to the festival will have to find accommodation in Cluj university dorms, rented apartments or in the encampment set on the outskirts of the city. The most important “rival” of Untold is Electric Castle, which is also a festival organized in the county of Cluj in the Bonțida Banffy Castle’s courtyard.

It’s about a castle built in the Middle Ages, enlarged and embellished during the Renaissance and Baroque period, which carries the name of Transylvanian Versailles. Among those who have contributed to the promotion of the castle is Charles, Prince of Wales. The festival will take place from 14 to 17 July and among the artists that have already confirmed their presence for this electronic music festival are Skrillex, Sigur Ros, Bring Me the Horizon, Bastille, Paul Kalkbrenner and Gorgon

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City. Most fans have the opportunity to find accommodation at the camping site near the castle, at the locals from Bonțida or in the hostels and hotels in Cluj-Napoca, Gherla or Dej. However Cluj is not only the capital of electronic music, but also the capital of film.

The most important film festival in Romania named Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF) will take place from 27 May to 5 June in Cluj-Napoca. According to a survey conducted by Babeş-Bolyai University researchers, the impact to the local economy is approximately 7.5 million Euros. The films presented to the almost 100,000 spectators are of the highest quality. Two of this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Film were screened for the first time in Cluj: A War (dir. Tobias Lindholm), which is about a commander accused of war crimes in Afghanistan, after a controversial decision and Embrace of the Serpent (dir. Ciro Guerra). Filmed in the Amazon, this movie is based on the journals of some scientists and as a central figure there is shaman Karamakate, the last survivor of his tribe. Awarded at Cannes, in Quinzaine des Realisateurs, the film is considered one of the revelations of the year.

Freshly awarded with the Silver Bear for the best script at the Berlin Festival, Tomasz Wasilewski returns to TIFF with a story from Poland right out of communism, splendidly filmed by director of photography Oleg Mutu, United States of Love. Due to his previous film, Floating Skyscrapers, Wasilewski won the Best Director award at TIFF 2014. www.transylvaniatoday.ro

Photo: Radu Pădurean

EVENTS

Photo: Radu Pădurean

EVENTS

Jazz in The Park Festival Moreover, Cluj hosts the most important European festival dedicated to comedy film, Comedy Cluj. This festival takes place in October, after the beginning of the academic year. Last year the Comedy Cluj trophy was won by the polish feature-length film “The Citizen”.

The Days of Cluj 2016 festival is a true celebration of the community. This year the festival took place from 19 to 22 May. The rock, pop, jazz or traditional music concerts complement the live performances in Union Square by Cluj’s operas and philharmonic artists. Each year the festival brings art exhibitions, conferences, fairs and gastronomic events.

In August, also in the city centre, Hungarian cultural days are organized. Among concerts, inaugurations, film screenings or exhibitions during the festival there is open the public tour of the Roman Catholic church Saint Michael, built by the German inhabitants of Cluj during the Middle Age. The tower offers a panoramic view on the historic city centre.

Another important festival is TiMAF. This festival has brought to town one of the most beautiful films and shows such as Lord of the Dance. The festival offers various workshops, conferences and exhibitions. TiMAF will be organized in October.

A festival like no other is Jazz in the Park. A series of events which took place under this name began on the 3rd of April, with a one day event organized in Bogata village; this became famous on a global level after it was mistakenly promoted on Facebook by Snoop Dogg. On 23 April, young artists from Cluj were presented to the larger public in a dedicated event, Jazz in the Street, which took place on the streets of the city centre, in neighbourhoods and in parks. In May, Picnic in the Park was organized. Lovers of good music, fresh air, books, and games for children and adults participated on 14 May at a large picnic with their family and friends.

Transylvania International Film Festival www.clujbusiness.ro

Later, the series of events will reach its peak with the Jazz in the Park festival, this event is at its 4th edition. It takes place from 27 June to 3 July, 2016 and along with the concerts which will be located in the Central Park and other city places, the public can participate to a variety of activities from exhibitions and fairs to dedicated facilities for children.

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