Automotive industry projects no longer rely on cheap labour force, says InvestRomania

Projects we would like to draw in the automotive industry no longer relies on cheap labour force, given that in 2017, a quarter of the total national exports was generated by this industry, Paula Pirvanescu, Secretary of State InvestRomania with the Ministry of Business Milieu, Commerce and Entrepreneurship told on a specialty press conference.

“At present, the automotive industry represents a traditional key-sector in our country, generating almost a quarter of national export, worth over 13 billion Euro, around 24 per cent of the export being accomplished by Dacia-Renault, the greatest exporter nationwide and we are talking about 2017. Romania positions itself as one of the regional hubs in the automotive industry, recording one of the highest quality levels as regards the fabrication of auto components in eastern Europe. Our country enjoys the presence of two of the largest world producers of automobiles – Renault and Ford, as well as over 1,000 suppliers who are mainly established in Arges, Dolj, Muntenia, South, West, Centre and North-West areas (…),” Pirvanescu said.

The official in the competent ministry also pointed out that in the last 10 years, the number of vehicles produced in Romania has doubled, and the competitive advantages of our country become a reality.

“The fact that our country has hosted, over the years, the success stories of some of the greatest international players such as Continental, Daimler, Pirelli, Michelin, Bosch, Siemens, alongside the best renowned producers Renault and Ford represents a guarantee of Romania’s capacity to ensure competitive profit margins and to position itself as profitable destination on the automotive industry’s map. Romania is becoming part of the 4.0 industry. Thus, I am convinced that the development of our country’s digitalisation will be found more and more in product design and technology upgrade. An example in that regard is the partnership between the IT sector in Romania and BMW company related to software development in the automotive industry,” Secretary of State InvestRomania said.

Pirvanescu also mentioned that Romania ranks third on the chart of the lowest salaries in the European Union and also a network of 14 technical universities and fiscal facilities granted to boost research.

The Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR) together with the Association of Automotive Manufacturers and Importers (APIA), under the aegis of the International Chamber of Commerce’s National Council, organized a conference titled “The Automotive Industry in Romania: Economic Impact and Perspectives” within the “International Car Salon in Bucharest” (SIAB 2018).