Romanian companies display optimism

Of all the Central and Eastern European states, Romanian companies expect the most from the Common Market integration, according to a survey drafted by Eurochambres in February and March.

The survey, conducted in ten candidate countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Baltic states, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), shows that 87% of the Romanian companies are optimistic about the EU accession, against the 60% average recorded for the companies in the entire area.#leadend# Moreover, only 5% of the Romanian companies are pessimistic about EU accession, as compared to an average 17% among the ten candidates.

This is the third edition of the survey, to which experts of the Romanian Chamber of Trade and Industry also contributed.

The poll’s optimism can also be found in the statements of big Romanian companies, but not in the opinions of tax specialists and management consultants.

Ioan Micula, chairman of the European Drinks group, says he already feels part of the European market, while Radu Timis, general manager of Cris-Tim, says accession will enable his company to increase exports to the new markets. Moreover, Bogdan Mihail, vice-president of Prodal ’94 (maker of Stalinskaya vodka), is not afraid of the world leading companies that are likely to enter the Romanian market. “This will lead to fewer counterfeit products,” he says.

On the other hand, Anca Ioan, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, believes the Romanian companies only see the glass as half full, although there will be a tough selection for all companies to comply with EU stipulations.

Moreover, things aren’t all rosy where taxes are concerned. The companies with commercial ties in EU countries will feel the “major fiscal impact” of EU regulations on indirect taxes (VAT, customs duties, excises), according to PricewtaerhouseCoopers experts.