Packaging, among top foreign investment destinations in Q1

Foreign investments amounted to almost 300 million euros in the first quarter of this year, in line with data released by the National Trade Registry Office. The value includes investments worth above one million euros.

More than 50 companies in the first three months of this year saw capital contributions by foreign investors topping one million euros.

The highest investment volume was posted in January, with the first 40 investments totalling 118.8 million euros, while March saw the lowest volume of investments, with the sum of the first 40 foreign investments amounting to 92.4 million euros. Industry accounts for more than half in the total investments exceeding one million euros, the same as last year. However, the retail, the real estate market and the information technology were also important targets of foreign investments.

Germany”s Agri Concept Europe in the first quarter brought the largest amount of money to Romania. The investment was carried out in two tranches, one worth 18.48 million euros in January and the other worth 27.44 million euros in March.

Industry was the second most important destination of the foreign investments above one million euros. Ilfov-based Impress Buftea company, producing packaging from light metals in the first quarter registered a French contribution to the capital worth 24.37 million euros. Can Pack Romania, another packaging company, registered a 13.66 million-euro Polish capital contribution in March.

The retail sector also saw two significant foreign investments. German store network Plus Discount invested in Romania 20.4 million euros in January and February.

Foreigners in 2006 also invested in domains that have not been too attractive to major investors until now. The real estate, the car industry, the wood industry and constructions continue to attract significant investments from foreigners.

In the banking sector, the most important investment was the British capital contribution of 8.2 million euros to Banca Romaneasca, a member of National Bank of Greece Group.

Foreign investments in the first quarter of the year were concentrated in the capital city and neighbouring areas, such as Ilfov county. Investments made in Bucharest account for 28% of the investments topping one million euros. Still, foreign investors focused on other areas as well, particularly on the western part of the country.