Nicolae Iotcu, President of the Arad County Council, discusses the investment appeal of the strategically located county. He also outlines opportunities in key economic sectors, from logistics to agriculture.
European Times: What are the Arad County Council’s current priorities?
Nicolae Iotcu: We are completing several investment projects financed by our own funds and by €200 million in EU support. Most of these concern road infrastructure, but we are also completing a €114 million water and sewage infrastructure project which should be finished in 2015, several projects concerning healthcare and environmental protection, and a €35 million waste-management initiative. In the healthcare sector, we are looking for public-private partnerships.
European Times: Why should investors target Arad County?
Nicolae Iotcu: Arad County enjoys a strategic location on Romania’s western border at the crossroads of road and rail IVth Pan-European transport corridors. It is less than 300 km from Budapest and set between Rotterdam and Constanta ports, making it an ideal base for logistics companies. The county has an international airport with a cargo terminal which we are modernising. In fact, we are seeking international partners for this project through concession or lease agreements, or a partnership with an organization that would come with a full business model, facilities and services to run the airport. Arad County welcomes foreign investors and offers a fair, open business environment as well as highly qualified human resources, particularly in the wine industry; wine has been produced here since 1038. The Arad County’s vineyard, Minis-Maderat, has recently been the beneficiary of a Wine Road project, improving its infrastructure and aiming to attract more tourists to taste our good wines and enjoy our beautiful landscapes.
European Times: Which sectors are particularly promising for investors?
Nicolae Iotcu: Arad County has a thriving automotive sector and successful heavy industry, including the production of railway carriages for export. We will soon be producing tramway cars in a contract with Siemens as well as cars for the Bucharest metro system. Our textiles industry is also successful. Arad County has attracted significant foreign investment in these and other sectors. The county’s free-trade zone, which employs around 7,000 people, serves as a European gateway, with its two locations: one neighbouring the Arad International Airport and the other one in Curtici, our railway customs point with Hungary. My goal is to attract investors and international partners to help us develop a logistics park which will position Arad County as a logistics hub. Arad County also needs investors in projects able to add value to our agricultural products, in order to export processed agriculture products rather than raw agriculture materials.
European Times: What is your personal message to potential private investors and EU funding organisations?
Nicolae Iotcu: We encourage and support the presence of the investors in the Arad County, Romania; everyone will be benefitting if the EU continues to provide funds to Arad County. With the right support, the county will become even more effective and deliver even better services. Arad County welcomes international partners and investors.
