Press releases
Damen Shipyard Galati: a success story
Published 18 May 2010
The Netherlands Romanian Chamber of Commerce organized a visit for its members at the Damen Shipyard in Galati on the occasion of the launch of the patrol vessel Mai 1105 build for the Romanian Border Police. The vessel was christened by Mrs. Andreea Niculiu, Chief Police Officer, Head Bureau for European Affairs and International Relaţions, and was witnessed by Mr. Vasile Blaga, Minister of Administration and Interior. The vessel was built with EU funds (around 25 million euro) and is part of the preparation of Romania for the accession to the Schengen Area in March 2011.
The yard was established as Fernic Shipyard Galati in 1893 and became the leader in the Romanian shipbuilding industry. In 1999 the Dutch Damen Shipyards Group acquired the yard and invested around 60 million euro to transform it into a modern and top quality production place. The Dutch gave once again the opportunity to the Romanian workers and managers to prove their formidable skills, expertise and efficiency. Since 1999 the shipyard has constantly raised its building capacity, delivering over 125 vessels to Romania and markets around the world (the Netherlands, Germany, Croatia, France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Arab Emirates, etc). The turnover also increased at a steady pace, reaching 79 million Euro in 2009. To better adapt to the changes in the market requirements, the Damen Shipyard diversified its portfolio and production capabilities, including for the near future the delivery of complex, high technology army vessels.
Bucharest, May 2010
The organisers (Archicom, Bliss Romania and the European Gateways Platform) are very pleased with the participant interest for the fifth Logistics Seminar in Romania. A large group of companies, experts and stakeholders discussed, during the seminar “Empowering Romania as the Eastgate Trade Hub of Europe”, the possibilities to enhance the competitive position of Romania in Europe and empower it as the Eastgate Trade Hub of Europe, through the Port of Constan ţ a. About 250 people were participating in this unique logistics event.
Jointly a number of ideas were developed that are considered of support to develop efficient trade corridors through Romania, focused on attracting additional foreign companies that establish value added activities (e.g. assembly, customization) in Romania, bringing growth of GDP, jobs and tax income to the State.
The seminar focused on finding legislative, fiscal, infrastructure, logistics and knowledge solutions that can enhance Romania’s position as a key location in Europe for trade and logistics purposes. All given presentations (handouts) during the seminar can be downloaded at http://www.logisticsportal.ro/
“Trade follows always the path of least resistance, and Romania possesses fundamental competitive advantages that, added by measures already in use in other EU countries, provide Romania with the opportunity to develop such a path of least resistance”, stated Robin Martens, Chairman of the European Gateways Platform and Director General of Archicom SRL.
“Although we believe that transport infrastructure is an important element in order to transform Romania as the logistics hub of Central and Eastern Europe, infrastructure alone will not attract the investments in this field. What is also needed is a stable and predictable business climate and the implementation of several key measures from a fiscal point of view that would make Romania a preferred destination for foreign direct investments”, stated Peter de Ruiter, Tax and Legal Services Department Leader of PricewaterhouseCoopers Romania and president of the Dutch-Romanian Chamber of Commerce.
The outcome of this conference has been summarized in a working document, a white paper with overviews, conclusions and recommendations.
In the preparation of this conference, the Romanian authorities have shown strong interest in this initiative and have expressed their intention to take the recommendations from the business community on in the development of the necessary master plans to achieve the objective of making Romania a country of excellent distribution and logistic services.
The conference has come up with the following recommendations in the white paper:
Mr. Joop Scha ffels +31 (0)40 - 267 72 72 joop.schaffels@archicom.nl
Ms. Anca Ivanica +40 (0) 729 076 601 anca@blissromania.ro or visit http://www.logisticsportal.ro/
All presentations / handouts you find attached and at http://www.logisticsportal.ro/
Extracts from the special edition of Nine O’clock on the occasion of Queen’s Day:
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Message of H.E. Mrs. Tanya van Gool, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Romania
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Message of H.E. Mr. Teodor Baconschi, Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister
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Interview with Mr. Peter de Ruiter, NRCC Chairman
Published 1 April 2010
The Netherlands Romanian Chamber of Commerce (NRCC) organized for its members a visit to Den Braven factory in Buftea on 30th March 2010. Den Braven, the Dutch world leader in polyurethane foams and sealants, decided in 2007 to invest over 15 million euro in a new factory of polyurethane foam production in Romania. In 2008, the investors put additional 2 million euro in a hot melt sealant production for double glazing industry.
Even during the global economic crisis, Den Braven Romania managed to get exceptional results due to the talent and professionalism of Adrian State, the general manager, and its dedicated team. The outstanding quality of the products made in Romania attracted quickly the interest of many international clients. As a consequence, the share of exports rose to about 80% from the total production made in Romania, covering 30 countries all over the world. In 2009, Den Braven Romania, reached a turnover of 30,85 million Euro and in the first quarter of 2010 the export of polyurethane foam was more than double compared to the same period of 2009. The NRCC members were not only impressed by these results but also by the high standards used in technology and the bright and clean working environment.
The members of the Netherlands-Romanian Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (NRCC) have elected a new Board of Directors, which in turn appointed Peter de Ruiter (Partner, Tax and Legal Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers) as the new NRCC President.
The Chamber has announced its commitment to continuing to work closely with the Dutch Embassy in Romania, therefore Hans Smaling, Counselor for Economy and Trade, will represent the embassy as an advisor at all the Chamber meetings. As for the Chamber's role, it will continue to promote the interests of the business community it represents and enhance the dialogue with Government representatives and other business partners.
The Netherlands Romanian Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization established in 2005. It now represents more then 70 direct members and over 100 Dutch companies via business associations in the Netherlands and Romania.
The foreign investors remind that the companies that entered the mandatory private pensions market have invested over 500 million euros from the launch of the system and failure to meet the schedule can erode the trust of foreign investors in Romania.
"Foreign investors who founded here the private pension funds management companies lose confidence in this system and in Romania, if these reforms do not continue as they were proposed at the start of the system," says Artigas, quoted by the Romanian Private Pension Funds' Association (APAPR).
Artigas explained that the reduction of the active population contributing to public pension budget, combined with the aging of the population put increasing pressure on the public pension system existing in Romania.
The initiative of the foreign investors was coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce of the Netherlands in Romania, joined by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Romania (AmCham), Foreign Investors Council (FIC) and the Chambers of Commerce of Italy, Switzerland and the UK in Romania.
According to the law, on 1 January of each year, after the implementation of mandatory private pension system, the rate of contribution to the mandatory pension system would increase annually by 0.5%, up to 6% of gross income of employees, within eight years.
The 2009 budget blocked the level of contribution to the mandatory private pension funds at 2% of gross salary this year. The recovery of the 0.5% increase in the contribution to pillar II planned for 2009 would be made in a year with economic growth, according to the authorities.
The government has not announced yet whether or not the level of the contribution will increase in 2010.