Claudia Ariton

Excelenta si traditie in asigurari

Aflata la conducerea singurei societati de asigurari din România care activa si inainte de 1990, doamna Mariana Diaconescu, Presedinte Directorat ASIROM, are ca obiectiv pastrarea pozitiei de top pe piata de profil pentru companie. In acest context, eforturile ASIROM sunt canalizate spre dezvoltarea unor proiecte de business ce presupun eficientizarea activitatii si cresterea veniturilor.

Neighbors seek to boost cooperation

While admitting that the crisis has proved difficult to manage for both Romania and Hungary, Oszkar Fuzes, the Hungarian Ambassador to Bucharest, feels a great sense of satisfaction for his input in creating a stronger level of cooperation and trust between the two countries. In an exclusive interview with Business Arena Magazine, the Ambassador expressed his confidence in Romania's future economic prospects, even though its development might be slowed down by the financial crisis affecting all Europe.

Logistics market expects growth amid uncertain economic outlook

While the development of the logistics sector is expected to add some 25 billion Euro to Romania's GDP by 2025 and create around 150,000 new jobs, the participants to a seminar recently organized by Archicom assessed Romania's potential of becoming the logistics hub for Central and Eastern Europe. With an audience of around 250 experts, who analyzed the opportunities that Romania has to offer in the logistics field, the seminar was organized in partnership with the European Gateways Platform, the Dutch-Romanian Network, the Dutch-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and PwC Romania. In this context, Gerard F.A. Kuijs, CEO, Archicom Consultants + Archineers + Managers and Vice President of the Dutch Romanian Network talked about the latest developments affecting Romania's logistics sector in an exclusive interview with Business Arena.

Office market enjoys positive prospects despite fewer new projects

While new openings of office facilities have been few and far between this year, the market has focused on renting activities, real estate analysts told Business Arena. At the same time, they have identified two major trends that they believe will have a strong impact on the local market in the near future.

Beer producers expect growth amid sluggish market

Beer producers see positive prospects for beer sales and consumption levels this year, in spite of a 3.5 per cent decrease in 2010 to 17 million hectoliters. Therefore, experts indicate a potential growth level of five to six per cent in 2011. Acatiu Mora, president of The Association of Hops Producers in Romania, shares the optimistic view on sales growth, pointing out the changes that the beer market has seen over the last few years.

FIC Head lists project prioritization as key to sustainable growth

While the economy is still not out of the woods yet, proper management and implementation of projects along with growth in internal demand might signal the debut of a slow, but steady recovery, Steven van Groningen, head of Foreign Investors Council and President of Raiffeisen Bank Romania, told Business Arena Magazine. The prospects of economic recovery remain pessimistic in Romania in 2011, investments being held back by a high level of uncertainty at European level. "When talking about economic growth, we have to take into account the quality of that growth. The economic growth in Romania is largely export-driven and, because of that, it is also rather vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with exports, but we can really claim the crisis is over when domestic demand picks up again. Thus a revived economy is driven by internal demand.

The penthouse market remains stable in spite of the economic recession

While most segments of the real estate market have seen a significant decrease in sales over the last two years, penthouses enjoy the benefits of a less fluctuating demand from clients in search of luxury and comfort, analysts told Business Arena Magazine. Thus, the selling prices for such apartments still reach up to 3,000 euro/sqm. Representing one privileged market segment, despite the ongoing financial instability, luxury apartments will continue to see a steady demand.

Eurojet Romania set to increase revenues in 2010

With plans to invest in larger aircraft and targeting a 10 million Euro turnover this year, business-air charter Eurojet Romania continues to press ahead with its development in this market, according to company officials. Established in 2004, when the Rompetrol Group of Companies decided to create its own aviation division, Eurojet Romania has operated as an independent business-air charter since the end of 2009. "We are the oldest private aviation company in Romania and we have the lead on market share," said Alexis Grabar, General Manager of Eurojet Romania, in an exclusive interview with Business Arena Magazine.

Argentina supports agricultural investment in Romania

Sharing a common Latin background, a similar openness towards business and investment, as well as close linguistic roots, Argentina and Romania have already developed the platform to promote bilateral trade and businesses with one another. In addition to the aspects mentioned above, we discussed with Gabriel Eduardo Puente, counselor within the Embassy of Argentina in Bucharest, a number of issues in the Romanian-Argentinean partnership. In an exclusive interview with Business Arena, Puente pointed out that Romanians and Argentineans share much in common:

Porsche Romania focuses on market share growth

In spite of the lackluster performance displayed by the car sales market, Porsche Romania general manager Gunther Seifert is optimistic. He strongly believes in the growth potential car sales have in this country. So Seifert is looking forward to a recovery in the domestic economy by 2011, when he estimates the effects of the crisis will start to diminish. Meanwhile, his company is focusing on increasing the market share for its brands in Romania. a

Modern technology supports Austria's tourism

Providing entertainment and sports facilities both for adults and children, Pitztal remains an attractive tourist destination in the Alps. Local tourism experts claim that the glacier region has Austria's most reliable snow conditions, with Pitztaler being the highest glacier of Tirol, reaching up to 3,440 meters.

Turning the crisis into an ally

Believing in Romania's potential in the banking sector, Mihai Bogza, CEO of Bancpost, is not afraid of the crisis. In fact, he is ready to take advantage of 'the opportunities created in the new economic and financial context.' For those lifting an eyebrow in suspicion, Bogza has already identified one such aspect: 'In a crisis period, companies tend to manage costs in a more efficient way.'

Unirea Medical Center continues investment following Advent takeover

Unirea Medical Center is keen to continue its 2010-11 investment strategy, now that Advent International, an investment fund, has become an 80 per cent shareholder of the medical group. Thus, Unirea Medical Center is expected to allocate around 30 million Euro for its development in the Romanian market.

Bancpost supports the Greek-Romanian partnership

Strengthening the bilateral commercial relations between Greece and Romania, while supporting the small and medium enterprises by extending their businesses on new markets, were among the key subjects discussed at the recent roundtable, "The Greek-Romanian Partnership: Business Opportunities." The roundtable took place at the Athenee Palace Hilton hotel, as part of the Business Forum and Exhibition of Food Products and Beverages.

Ramada Hotel presses ahead with its development plans

A dedicated professional and passionate hotelier, Daniel Ben Yehuda, general manager of Ramada Plaza, presses ahead with his development plans despite difficult economic conditions. This year, the Ramada Bucharest Parc team is renovating its spa & pool sector, while larger expansion plans are in the works, such as a 2,500 sqm congress hall.

Time for a fresh approach to business

At the end of a troubled couple of months since the beginning of this crisis-ridden year, the wisest, most proactive, efficient and most experienced business leaders can now prepare their balance sheets for the first quarterly evaluation in 2010.

Remco anticipates great revival in the industrial market

While having to pay maximum bonuses, even in the financially difficult times of 2009, to reward the work of its motivated and dedicated team of professionals, Remco Romania did not have to wait long to see the outcome. The value of its delivered projects in 2009 and of its work-in-progress, waiting to be delivered this year, exceeds 30 million lei.

Analysts forecast modest improvements in real estate

While most segments of the local real estate market saw either a decrease or stagnation in 2009, this year the real estate experts indicate a possible improvement of the investment sector, although they refrain to predict whether 2010 will be a much more profitable year than 2009.

Winning over a fiercely competitive tobacco market

Considering the needs of its clients and requests as their top priority, the JTI Romania officials are determined to see even more sustained growth in the near future from their business. With an average share of market (SOM) of 25 per cent in 2008 and 2009, and with regular investment in developing its brand portfolio, JTI is keen on reaching higher results in the domestic market.

Going with the market's flow

After ending a financially difficult and psychologically stressful 2009, due to the crisis-related changes endured by the local economy, most market players have learned the lesson of precaution quite well. The survivors have maintained the focus on developing their businesses, seeking expansion and new contracts, modifying investment plans and hoping for a better 2010 than forecasters have predicted.