The event reunited the ladies that make a difference in various domains and who have brought their contribution to the Romanian economy throughout the years. Business Arena Magazine proudly recognized the creativity and leadership of women in the workplace and their vital contribution to the success of business and banking activities throughout Romania. Hosted by the Crowne Plaza Hotel earlier this week, the Gala brought together around 180 guests in a festive atmosphere.

With investments in excess of nine billion Euro and over 5,600 companies registered in Romania, Austrian investors reiterated their confidence in the opportunities offered by this market at Business Arenas Austria - Romania Roundtable Business Conference and Awards 2010. Organized at the J.W. Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, in partnership with BCR, Raiffeisen Bank, Asirom, Cargo Partner and Julius Meinl, the conference brought together a wide range of experts and business leaders who discussed the current business trends and prospects for development. The photo from left to right: Wolfgang Schoiswohl, Executive Vice President, BCR; Rudolf Lukavsky, Commercial Counselor, Embassy of Austria; Daniel Pavel, Deputy Director, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania; Reinhard Zeitlberger, Head of Corporate Customers and International Desk, Raiffeisen Bank Romania; Boris Schneider, General Manager, Asigurarea Romaneasc ASIROM Vienna Insurance Group; Michael Neuhauser - Vice-president and General Manager, Infineon Technologies Romania

Citing corruption, bureaucracy and the frequent changes in fiscal legislation as some of the main hurdles affecting the business environment in Romania, the representatives of the Greek business community are still optimistic. Gathered together at the Grand Hotel Continental, the diplomats and business people participating in Business Arenas Greece/Romania Roundtable Business Conference and Awards 2010 sounded a positive note with regard to the future of Greek/Romanian business ties.

With its 20 billion Euro financial "safety belt" granted by the international financial institutions, Romania has attracted direct foreign investments of around 2.055 billion Euro in the first four months of the year. Thus, the participants to "Crisis Turns into Business" seminar expressed their confidence in Romania's potential of reviving its economy in the short term. Organized in partnership with Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, Acca and Ramada Plaza, the event tackled topics such as IMF's financial support, banks' strategies in the current economic context and the contribution of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to supporting the local business environment and private investment projects. According to ARIS, Romania will see direct foreign investments of between 4.5 and five billion Euro this year

Although Sibiu is one of the most active regions in attracting European funds, the local business community has expressed its dissatisfaction with the difficult bureaucratic stages that companies must complete to access the funds. The effects of the economic crisis and banks' tighter lending policies have determined many business people to look towards European funding with increased interest. However the bureaucratic quagmire and slow processing can lead to the demise of many companies relying on such funds, according to the participants to Sibiu Business Roundtable 2009, organized at the Continental Hotel in partnership with Blue Air and Cosmote Romania. Ioan Banciu, vice president of the Sibiu County Council, expressed his support for the local business people. "The system is extremely cumbersome for businesses," he agreed, adding however that the European funds continued to represent a viable solution for companies, as bank lending was still tight.

While its priorities include the management of 70 million Euro infrastructure projects, Arad authorities have also been working on supporting local companies, according to Arad Mayor Gheorghe Falca, who attended BAM's Arad Business Roundtable 2009. In the presence of local business representatives, Gheorghe Falca spoke about Arad's economic evolution and its development prospects at the event organized by BAM in partnership with Blue Air and Cosmote Romania at the Continental Hotel. "As opposed to the rest of the country where there is a 1.5 deficit, we have a four per cent increase in revenues and a raise in exports." On this note, Falca added that with one notable exception, exports had been on the rise. "In fact, Arad is the only city in Romania that exports more than it imports."

Representing an attractive destination for investors, the city lying on the banks of the Bega River has been an important economic center since the early '90s. While the total investments in Timis county currently amount to around 950 million USD, the business community is not only dealing with the effects of the crisis, but it is also battling poor infrastructure and thick bureaucracy, and has asked the local authorities for support. Issues such as the promotion of local products and the cancellation of the fixed tax imposed on companies are just some of the issues raised by the participants to the Timisoara Business Roundtable 2009, organized by BAM in partnership with Cosmote Romania, Hategan Law Office and Lufthansa at the Angellis Hotel.

At the end of a difficult year for the entire business community, Business Arena Magazine is proud to recognize the achievements and successes of banks, financial institutions and business leaders that found the winning strategies in spite of the economic slowdown. Financial Leaders' Hall of Fame 2009 brought together top business leaders at a special sit-down gala dinner hosted by the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Some 100 people from the financial and banking sectors, including directors of investment funds and representatives of major companies in Romania, together with representatives of the central bank, local authorities and diplomats, all took part in this prominent event.