President Klaus Iohannis stated, on Thursday, that partnership is the key to economic success, irrespective of what politicians sometimes claim.
“Due to foreign investment, Craiova has become again an important industrial centre in Romania. This proves once again that foreign investment and Romanian capital must be equally supported and encouraged. I would be glad if people understood, at the eleventh hour at least, that adverse economic policies do no good to anybody. In fact, foreign investment consolidates the Romanian capital, as we have seen it happening here. We have at Craiova a very good example of industrial ecosystem made up of tens of Romanian firms developed around the Ford Motor Company. Big investment has always paired up with the development of medium and small sized companies. In economy, partnership means cooperation and competition through entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity. This is the path of economic success and there are no shortcuts on the way to prosperity, no matter how much politicians claim sometimes that they are the only ones capable to invent,” Iohannis stated at the launch of the Ford EcoSport model.
The head of state maintained that the launch of the new Ford model is also important in the light of the strategic partnership between Romania and the USA.
He said that through the launch of this new Ford model the Romanian automotive industry creates an ever-stronger reputation on the European automotive market, especially since recent evolutions have been very promising. Thus, the head of state showed that Romania currently ranks 11th in Europe, based on the annual automotive production.
“Through your work and that of everyone who works in this field, the automotive industry in Romania has come to represent last year around 13 pct of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a quarter of Romania’s total exports, a very important sector for Romania’s economy. This performance must continue to be consolidated through such ambitious projects, through professionalism and competitiveness,” Iohannis said.
He emphasised that Romania has remarkable economic potential.
Iohannis specified that the expansion of the Ford plant creates 1,700 more jobs. He expressed hope that the Ford EcoSport model will become a “new success story” of the Ford Motor Company and the Romanian automotive industry.
“Transport infrastructure must be first priority of any Government”
The transport infrastructure must be the first priority of any Government, President Klaus Iohannis also said on Thursday, in the speech delivered during his visit to the Ford plant in Craiova.
“In drawing investment, the local administration has a key-role which I encourage to become a rule and not an exception. We all know that one of the essential requirements is ensuring a high-quality infrastructure. To benefit from bigger, more performing investment, to reduce the wide regional gaps existing in Romania, the transport infrastructure must be the first priority of any Government,” Iohannis said.
He showed that, before participating in the launch of the new Ford EcoSport model, he discussed this matter with the Government representatives participating in the event, among whom Prime Minister Mihai Tudose.
“In our discussions we approached these topics and I received all necessary promises,” Iohannis showed.
The head of the state underscored that Romania’s imperatives in terms of infrastructure are necessary “not only for the auto industry to become more attractive and more competitive, but also for Romanians to be able to travel efficiently and safely, so that Romania’s development be laid on solid and healthy foundations.
PM Tudose says Romania moving forward from promises to action in respect to infrastructure
Prime Minister Mihai Tudose said on Thursday that in respect to the infrastructure “that connects Craiova to the rest of the world,” Romania is no longer just at the level of promises.
“Today we can say that, in respect to the infrastructure that connects Craiova to the rest of the world, we are no longer on a level of promises, we are on schedule (…). There are infrastructure works under bidding, awarding procedure. Things have begun moving forward in this area, too. This has been one of Romania’s commitments. Romania understands to respect its commitments,” Tudose said after a visit to the Ford plant in Craiova.
According to the PM, the launch of the new Ford EcoSport model represents “a new history” in Ford company.
“I am thrilled, as a car passionate, for what Craiova represents for Romania, for what Ford has done for Craiova and Romania. (…) The presence in Romania of such a big company isn’t something to be overlooked. It is an element of pride for us and, I suppose, for them, too, because they found here a favourable economic, social, human environment to take this important step – a new model, new history in the Ford company,” Tudose also said.
