President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday that entrepreneurship is a real engine for social change and innovation.
“Achieving national or regional development goals cannot be done without the involvement of the economic environment. Often the business environment manages on its own even when the public administration is left behind with regard to the government’s duty to provide that predictable, development-friendly framework. That is why entrepreneurship is a real engine for social change and innovation, especially in the current, dynamic and alert environment in terms of technology, innovation and opportunities,” Iohannis told a Romanian-Croat Business Forum hosted by Romania’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bucharest.
He welcomed the role of the chambers of commerce, which have recently undertaken under a memorandum signed in Zagreb to develop a framework for bilateral economic cooperation.
“Our countries are among the newest members of the European family, both deeply attached to common values, unity and solidarity within the European Union. We have set to capitalise on the great potential we have in a substantial regional partnership. No matter how strong our messages are – coming from political leaders – you, the business people, are the essential vehicle of economic performance in the field of bilateral cooperation,” said Iohannis, urging the business people to explore, with “optimism and determination,” all the economic opportunities that can bring Romania and Croatia closer together.
He pointed out that in recent years Romania has recorded notable economic performances by record rates of economic growth in the European space, and also an increase by about 30 percent in foreign investment inflow in 2016, showing that this confirms the attractiveness of the Romanian economic environment.
“It is important that, beyond the quantitative side of economic performance, the qualitative aspects of future developments become predominant. The true value of these favourable statistics is given by the ability to translate them into the everyday life of people, to transform them in sustainable means of prosperity. This goal can only be achieved in a climate of stability in which entrepreneurs trust the government authorities to act predictably in the medium and long run,” said Iohannis.
He indicated that trade between Romania and Croatia was close to the 300 million-euro mark. He pointed out that, although this level is low compared with the potential of the two economies, recent developments still offer encouraging signs.
Iohannis said that during the first half of this year, trade increased by 30 percent from the same period last year, indicating that this is a very positive signal.
“We have set to be even more ambitious, to develop cooperation especially in the areas of high technology, in innovative areas. An important example is the IT field, where Romania has recorded accelerated growth rates in recent years, with a share of the GDP in the sector of six percent and rising. It is also important to strengthen regional energy co-operation in line with the principles of the Energy Union and with the requirements of European energy security. In this respect, under regional energy projects such as the BRUA gas pipeline, Romania has firmly committed itself to the development of the regional energy infrastructure. I also believe that the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region, in which our countries are partners, is also an important regional framework conducive to economic projects of common interest and insufficiently exploited. The port of Constanta and the Vukovar Port, for example, could play an important role in attracting new trade flows,” said Iohannis.
He pointed out that a series of concrete steps could be envisaged in the implementation of the Three Seas Initiative, which summit will be hosted by Romania in 2018, where the development of regional interconnection is a central objective. Iohannis said that a business forum will also be held on the side-lines of the summit.
Also attending the forum were Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who’s on a state visit to Romania , and chairs of Romanian and Croat chambers of commerce.
Croatia’s President: Romania is an attractive country for investment
Croatia’s President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic stated on Tuesday that Romania is an attractive country for investment.
“Economy is one of the friendly ties between Croatia and Romania. Through economy we can widen and deepen our collaboration. Romania made considerable progresses, the economy is on the rise, which is reflected in a series of indicators, especially in reduced unemployment. Romania, as an example of a transition economy of the so-called new Europe, shapes itself as an attractive country for investment,” Croatia’s President said at the Romanian-Croatian Business Forum hosted by Romania’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bucharest.
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic mentioned that the talks she had on Monday with President Klaus Iohannis were also aimed at some concrete collaboration projects.
“The partnership [with Romania] has a considerable growth potential, especially in key-areas, such as the defence industry, the electronic industry, information technology, infrastructure,” the Croatian President said.
Read also:
