Romanian entrepreneurs dismiss idea of state aid

Over 1.5 billion euros are available for Romanian companies in the form of state aid for greenfield investments of over 30 million euros until 2012-2013, but Romanian entrepreneurs would not even consider it. “The idea of state aid contradicts my idea of doing business. Most entrepreneurs are people who have taken their destiny into their own hands, and depend on the only real king – the client,” says Dan Sucu, owner of the Mobexpert group, the largest player on the Romanian furniture market, with more than 170 million euros in turnover and over 3,000 employees. He believes the state’s intervention in the economy is unfortunate: “The money should stay in the hands of those who make it. I will never come to the conclusion that the state knows best how to spend the money,” added the Mobexpert owner. Foreign investors, on the other hand, have a different view, with giants such as Ford, Renault, P&G and Mittal voicing their intention to request state aid in order to continue their investment plans in Romania.