Copos: The big problem is that we're not united

George Copos, one of the best-known Romanian businesspeople, who controls Ana Holding group of firms, maintains the business environment suffers as there are no united employers’ associations, which should fight the Government. “The problem is that in Romania there are 13 employers’ associations with 13 different voices. Under the circumstances, all we can do is endure. Had we had some powerful employers’ associations coming up with remedies and be consulted by the Government, the VAT hike, which is not helping the business environment at all, could have probably been avoided. The Government made the decision to raise the VAT by itself,” stated George Copos, owner of Ana Holding, employing 2,000 people and with 60m-euro revenues last year. Copos mentioned that in the wake of VAT raise to 24%, he would have to further restructure the companies in order to slash expenses and work harder. “Restructuring steps may also entail layoffs,” specifies Copos. “Businesspeople have to hold on (…) but I believe very few domestic companies stand chances of surviving,” Copos said.