Buletin de afaceri România-Suedia Business Bulletin Rumänien-Sverige - business newsletter Nr. 02/Aprilie 2015 Nr. 02/April 2015 No. 02/April 2015

BPCE Stockholm, SUEDIA Handelskontor Rumäniens i Stockholm, Sverige Trade Office of Romania in Stockholm, Sweden 36, Ostermalmsgatan, 10041-Stockholm; tel: +46 8 102858; email: [email protected]

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities

Table of contents A Romanian economic mission in Sweden in early May 2015

• Mr. Ioan Uţiu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, headed a Romanian economic delegation in Sweden on 4 and 5 May 2015. • The Romanian economic mission was accompanied by HRH Prince Radu, from the Royal Business opportunities Family of Romania, and was composed by 7 Romanian companies from the agriculture and food processing sectors . • The visit aims to establish contacts and exchanges of knowledge with counterparts from the Economic & financial Swedish academic, agriculture and food processing sectors. News • The delegation members were producers or representatives of associations of producers (in the fields of: fruits and vegetables; meat-stuff; oil; natural juices; bio/eko-products - honey, tea, dietary supplements, etc.) and of a specific RD institute . International events • List of Romanian companies 1. Ostrovit (vegetables, fruits and wine) Facts about Romania 2. Abundia - Agro Natural producers (organic vegetables, fruits, cold pressed juices) 3. CIC agro BIO invest SRL BioTerra (BIO Producers) 4. SC SONIMPEX TOPOLOVENI SRL (confitures, jams) Useful contacts 5. Agricola Bacău ( ) 6. Luna Solai (cold pressed vegetables oil) 7. Delicon Prodimpex (natural juices) and ICDP (research institute on fruit-growing/trees’culture).

• The Romanian delegation had very useful contacts with representatives from ICA and Axfood in order to start discussions about the possibility to export Romanian food products to the Swedish market.

• Separately [further on in the business opportunities section], we present details about some of the Romanian companies part of the delegation, interested in establishing contacts with prospective business partners on the Swedish market.

Pg. 2/18

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities (cont.)

BUSINESS SEMINAR Table of contents Romanian traditional food products – Opportunities on the Swedish market

On 5 May, the Embassy of Romania in Stockholm organized a business seminar, attended by Business the Romanian companies from the food industry, purchasing managers from ICA and Axfood, opportunities a general director from the Swedish Ministry of Rural Development and a representative of Swedish Farmers Federation. Economic & financial Romanian companies presented their offer and provided samples and promotional materials, News and the executives from ICA and Axfood revealed the concrete ways how a foreign company can become an official supplier of these two big companies that dominate the Swedish food International events market.

The Director General of the Ministry of Rural Development exposed the major Swedish legal Facts about Romania regulations in food and the Farmers Federation’s representative made a number of

clarifications regarding the quality requirements on the Swedish food market. Useful contacts All these data and information are particularly useful for Romanian exporters to structure and implement the strategy to promote their products on the Swedish market. Representatives of the Romanian food companies: Guests: - Ioana Belu, Ostrovit Mr. Hans von Heijne, purchasing manager ICA - Camelia Sucu, Agro Natural producers

Mr. Tomas Dahlman, DG – Ministry of Enterprises - Catalina Maria Dan, CIC agro BIO invest SRL and Innovation BioTerra

Mr. Henrik Nilsson, purchasing manager Axfood - Diana Sonia Stanciulov, SC SONIMPEX

Mr. Daniel Hallmer, Axfood TOPOLOVENI SRL Mr. Johan Anell, CSR and Sustainability Manager, - Carmen Gavrilescu, Agricola Bacău The Swedish Food Federation - Aurora Palade, Agricola Bacău

Pg. 3/18 - Felicia Tulai, Luna Solai - Cristi Constantin, Delicon Prodimpex

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities (cont.)

BUSINESS SEMINAR

Table of contents Romanian traditional food products – Opportunities on the Swedish market

Business opportunities

Economic & financial News

International events

Facts about Romania

Useful contacts

Pg. 4/18

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities - Companies part of the Romanian economic mission in Sweden in early May 2015 Table of contents ABUNDIA Contact: Camelia SUCU – owner ABUNDIA Catalina Maria DAN – CIC Agro Bd. Metalurgiei 134, sect.4, Bucharest www.abundia.ro; [email protected]; [email protected] Business opportunities

Economic & financial News

International events

“AFINUL”- Fruit Processing Center Facts about Romania situated in North of Transilvania., with mostly plums, Since the beginning, Abundia involved apples, strawberries, bilberries and forest fruits harvested in that area. Useful contacts constantly in the agriculture process, The Center is processing the fruits from around the area, becoming a relying partner for farmers in a very modern factory, with automated production lines of fruits and vegetables. Encouraging and the latest technology meant for natural processing. The entire range of products is manufactured without individual farmers to associate, the sugars / sweeteners, without food colourings or group of producers of fruits and preservatives. The technological process excludes the use vegetables developed and become of chemical adjuvants. The water that is used in the production process is pure in important players in the local and terms of microbiological and mineral composition. external markets. Contact: [email protected] Agronatural, tel/fax: +40 260 650 506 Mobile: +40 722 451 38 Livada Transilvana, Muncostmar, CIC Agro are examples of Romanian group of Pg. 5/18 producers.

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities - Companies part of the Romanian economic mission in Sweden in early May 2015

Table of contents SONIMPEX TOPOLOVENI S.R.L. Contact details: Mrs.Diana Sonia STANCIULOV Aleea Baraj Cucuteni, nr. 4, bl. M5A; Bucharest - 032752 tel: +40 21.3402666; +40 722705950; fax: +40 2130460 66 www.magiun-sonimpex.ro ; [email protected]

Business opportunities

SHORT HISTORY & MILESTONES Topoloveni plum spread factory was Economic & financial established in 1914 and it was the first News Romanian factory of this type. Since 2001, the Topoloveni factory has been brought back in operation, they International events created improved technological conditions which complied with the international standards and law. Facts about Romania Because of the demand on the European market, between 2001-8, all Useful contacts of production (150 tons) has been dedicated to one product: “Magiun de prune Topoloveni “ (Topoloveni plum spread) that was exported 100%. *2010 – awarded the ITQI Superior Taste Award by the International Institute for Taste and Quality; *2010 – became Official Supplier of the Romanian Royal House; *2011 – The European Commission certified the product “Magiun de prune Topoloveni” with The Protected Geographical Indication; *2012 – received the ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 2200:2005 certifications; Pg. 6/18 *2012 and 2014 - received ”Superior Taste Award with 2 Golden Stars”…

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities - Companies part of the Romanian economic mission in Sweden in early May 2015 Table of contents AGRICOLA Bacău Contact details: Mrs. Carmen GAVRILESCU, Mrs. Aurora PALADE Calea Moldovei nr. 94, Bacău 600351, Romania Tel: +40.234577600; Fax: +40.234516573; www.agricola.ro

Salbac - Calea Moinesti nr. 16, Bacău 600281, Romania Business opportunities Tel: +40.234571726; Fax: +40.234516416; [email protected] http://www.agricola.ro/despre-noi/grupul-salbac/ AGRICOLA – group consist of Economic & financial Agricola, Salbac, Europrod and News Avicola Lumina.

Salbac made, for four decades, raw-dried salami /sausages. AGRICOLA is regulating the entire Leader is Sibiu salami AGRICOLA (over 53% of the market); International events production chain: from preparation of feeding-stuffs for animals up to other specialties are the / sausages made from fresh chicken, pork, mutton and beef meat, from AGRICOLA Facts about Romania the preparation and marketing of fresh meat, meat products, holdings. intermediate goods and eggs. Since 1976, Salbac is using raw-dried products technology Useful contacts with mold and long maturation time. Even though over the AGRICOLA’s products are recognized years the technology has changed (oak wood with stainless for decades, for their quality, on the internal and external market. steel), but the recipe and the taste of the authentic Sibiu Salami are untouched – kept as a treasure. Export: The raw-dried salamis of Salbac have increased the share of export in total production from 3% in 2013 to 10% in 2014, the main markets being Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany.

Pg. 7/18

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities - Companies part of the Romanian economic mission in Sweden in early May 2015

Table of contents LUNA SOLAI Contact details:

Business opportunities

Economic & financial Luna Solai products are natural products www.lunasolai.com News made using cold pressing technology. The oils are produced ​​from carefully selected seeds that are not subjected to thermal or chemical treatments, thus acquiring a high LUNA SOLAI products: International events quality and taste. • Sunflower oil LUNA SOLAI ambition is to satisfy the Facts about Romania expectations of people searching for • Special flavoured (thyme, pure, healthy, tasteful and high quality oil at basil, pepper and chili) the right price by finding, innovating and using the best cold sunflower oil Useful contacts pressing technologies.

*for more information, visit: • Pumpkin seed oil http://lunasolai.com/distribution-network/ • Canola oil CERTIFICATES: - Standard ISO 22000: Luna Solai cold pressed • Flax seed oil oils are manufactured in a Quality • Walnut oil Management System (2012-2014) - iTQI Superior Taste Award 2014 – for • Hemp oil Luna Solai sunflower pressed cold oil - The Official supplier of the Royal House of Romania (2014-2017) - The most loved brand in Transylvania (2013) TAF Presoil Pg. 8/18 FAIRS: SIAL, Paris, 2012; IFE, London, 2013

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Business opportunities - Companies part of the Romanian economic mission in Sweden in early May 2015 Table of contents DELICON Prodimpex SRL Contact details: Mr. Cristi CONSTANTIN

str. 9 Mai, nr. 4, FALTICENI, jud. Suceava, ROMANIA Tel.: +40.230.540.695 Business opportunities Mobil: +40744.288.367 Fax: +40.230.540.695 Economic & financial E-mail: [email protected] News At "aRoma" we didn't invent recipes, but create Web site: www.sucaroma.ro the taste of Apple juice in the childhood years!

International events Apple Juice 100% natural Facts about Romania “aRoma" Products: Is made from fresh and -100% natural apple juice Useful contacts healthy, carefully selected, -Apple and black currant natural juice washed, chopped, pressed -Apples and beetroot natural juice and pasteurized fruits -Apples and sour cherries natural juice using the bag-in-box.

Natural juice “aRoma" has the pure taste of nature; • it does not contain added sugar, water, preservatives and artificial colors, thus responding to consumers who want to have a natural, healthy, tasty beverage to delight The method of obtaining the full juice "aRoma" -according to the old traditions, using the juice press; the senses. Pg. 9/18 so the juice has natural qualities and flavours; -after pressing, the juice is clarified / filtered, and then, pasteurized.

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Economic & Financial News from Romania

Amendments brought to the Fiscal Code

Table of contents Emergency Ordinance no. 6/2015 published in the Official Gazette no. 250 of 14 April 2015 The most important amendment refers to the application of a reduced VAT rate of 9% for: • supply of the following goods: food, including beverages, except for alcoholic beverages, for human and animal consumption, livestock and live birds from domestic species, seeds, plants and ingredients used for preparing food, products used for completing or replacing food – Business opportunities specifications will follow in future Norms; • restaurant and catering services, except for alcoholic beverages.

Economic & financial Romania gets EUR 30 mln in Norway grants to finance News 50 private sector projects Around 50 private sector projects are about to be financed with International events EUR 30 million under a business development programme, managed directly by Innovation Norway. Development, implementation, investment and training related to environmentally friendly Facts about Romania technologies, innovative green products and services, reduction and re‐use of waste are among the most common activities funded under the programme. Useful contacts The Norwegian minister for EEA and EU affairs Vidar Helgesen paid a visit to Bucharest, having been received by prime minister Victor Ponta , who voiced the appreciation of the Government of Bucharest for the support provided by Norway through the funds within the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism in the current financial period. The Romanian PM underscored that the promoted projects contribute to the reduction of the economic and social disparities, to the development and consolidation of some long-lasting relations between the two countries. The two officials discussed about the modalities to further strengthen the political and development dialogue, the bilateral economic relations, at the end of 2014 the total value of the commercial exchanges between Romania and Norway having reached EUR 675 million (with exports worth EUR 575 million and imports worth EUR 100 million). At the same time, Romania’s high level of absorption of Norwegian funds was highlighted. PM Ponta also voiced the support for completing the negotiations between the EU and the EEA states - Norway for the next financial period (2014-19), as soon as possible, in order to avoid delays. Romania receives EUR 306 million through the EEA and Norway Grants. The funding, worth EUR Pg. 10/18 306 million for the period up to until 2016, is earmarked to support 22 programmes in areas such as the justice and home affairs sector, environmental protection, research, health, culture, civil society, and improving the social condition of the Roma population.

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Economic & Financial News from Romania (cont.)

Unemployment rate down to 6.8 % in 2014, says INS Table of contents

Romania’s unemployment rate stood at 6.8 percent in 2014, down compared to the previous year, and the employment rate of the working-age population (aged 15 to 64) reached 61 percent, according to the data released by the National Statistics Institute (INS). In 2014, Romania’s active population stood at 9,243,000 people, of whom 8,614,000 were employed and 629,000 were unemployed. Business opportunities According to the INS, the unemployment rate recorded last year decreased from 7.1 percent in 2013, to 6.8 percent, with the most affected by unemployment being the high-school graduates (with a rate of 7.2 percent) and the secondary-school ones (6.7 percent). At the same time, the unemployment rate of the people with higher education stood at 5.8 percent. Economic & financial By gender, men’s unemployment rate stood last year at 7.3 percent and women’s at 6.1 percent. The News unemployment rate had the highest level (24 percent) amongst young people (aged 15 to 24).

International events Romania posts highest construction output increase in February, says Eurostat

Romania recorded in February the fastest growth rhythm of construction output in the , as Facts about Romania compared to January but also against February 2014, respectively 5.3 percent and 19.5 percent, according to data published by Eurostat - the statistical office of the European Union. In contrast, the largest decreases in production in construction were observed in Germany (-3.1 percent), France and Portugal (both -2.2 percent), and the highest increases, except for Romania (+5.3 percent), in Useful contacts Poland (+3.8 percent) and Hungary (+3.2 percent). In February 2015 against the previous month, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector fell by 1.8 percent in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.2 percent in the EU28. In January 2015, production in construction grew by 1.6 percent and 0.6 percent respectively. In February 2015 compared with February 2014, production in construction fell by 3.7 percent in the euro area and by 2.4 percent in the EU28. The 3.7 percent decrease in construction output in the euro area in February 2015, compared to February 2014, is due to building construction falling by 4 percent and civil engineering by 2.7 percent. In the EU28, the decrease of 2.4 percent is due to building construction falling by 2.7% and civil engineering by 0.5 percent. Among member states for which data are available, the largest decreases in construction production were registered in Germany (-8.1 percent), France (-7.9 percent) and Portugal (-4.5 percent), and the highest increases in Romania (+19.5 percent), Sweden (+9.4 percent), and the Czech Republic (+6.2 percent). The decrease of 1.8 percent in construction output in the euro area in February 2015, compared to the previous month, is due to building construction falling by 1.6 percent and civil engineering by 2.6 percent. In the EU28, the decrease of 1.2 percent is due to building construction falling by 1.1 percent and civil Pg. 11/18 engineering by 1.6 percent.

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Economic & Financial News from Romania (cont.)

Table of contents Bosch opens IT center for research and development in Cluj

Business opportunities Bosch officially inaugurated few days ago a new IT center in “The Office” in Cluj-Napoca, the company says. In the new location, through the research and development projects to Economic & financial be initiated, the company takes a step forward in meeting the upward trend towards News mobility and connectivity.

The young engineers develop cutting-edge technologies in the field of autonomous International events management and of the fourth industrial revolution, as well as in the field of renewable energy. Bosch has thus intensified its local research and development activities in Cluj and officially opened a new IT center. Facts about Romania The new Bosch office aims, for the coming years, to create more jobs for young Useful contacts professionals in the IT field. Through the new IT center, Bosch completed one of its objectives regarding the research and development in Cluj-Napoca. The company enhances the role of local activities within its own European network of research and development.

Regarding the technological solutions for intelligent building management, the young team expands its activities from software development for integrated systems to device interconnection and data analysis for photovoltaic inverters, necessary for generating green energy from the photovoltaic solar panels.

“We had very good experiences in Romania so far and we offer an exciting content and fantastic career opportunities for the most brilliant minds in the country” stated in a press release Roman Sellin, director of the R&D center in Cluj-Napoca.

Bosch research and development activities in Romania were launched in Jucu in November 2013, sharing the location with the new production facility for automotive technology. Pg. 12/18

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden International Fairs & Exhibitions in Romania

Table of contents 2015

For more details, open the link: http://www.romexpo.ro/program-en-2015

Business opportunities

Economic & financial News

International events

Facts about Romania

Useful contacts

Pg.13/18

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Facts about Romania

Location, geography and climate Table of contents Romania is situated in the southeastern part of Central Europe, on the shores of Black Sea, extending approximately 300 miles north to south and 400 miles east to west. Romania’s territory features mountains, hills, plains and numerous rivers and lakes. Forests cover one quarter of the country and the fauna is one of the richest in Europe (including bears, deer, lynx, chamois, wolves). The Danube River ends its eight-country Business opportunities journey at the Black Sea, after forming one of the largest and most bio-diverse wetlands in the world, the Danube Delta. Romania is an all round year destination, having a Economic & financial temperate climate with four distinct seasons. News Politics and economy

Romania is a parliamentary democracy based on European models and a member state International events of the EU and the NATO.

In the 1930s, Romania was one of the main European producers of wheat, corn and Facts about Romania meats and it used to be called “the bread basket of Europe.” In the 1950s started the development of the heavy industry. Useful contacts Today, Romania produces coal, natural gas, iron ore and petroleum. Industries include chemical (petrochemical, paints and varnishes), metal processing, machine manufacturing, information technology, industrial and transport equipment, textiles, manufactured consumer goods, lumbering and furniture. About 39.2% of Romania’s territory is arable land, 28% forests, 21% pastures, hayfields and orchards and 2.5%

vineyards. Corn, wheat, vegetable oil seeds, vegetables, apples and grapes for wine are the main crops and sheep and pigs the main livestock. Forestry and fisheries are also developed.

More info on: www.romania.travel, Pg. 14/18 the Official Tourism Site of Romania

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Facts about Romania (cont.)

Key economic indicators Table of contents

Business opportunities

Economic & financial News

International events

Facts about Romania

Useful contacts

Pg. 15/18

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Facts about Romanian Economy

Economic evolutions in Romania

Table of contents Industry: In 2014, the industrial production increased by 6.1%, compared to the previous year. Increases were registered in manufacturing (+7.5%) and in mining and quarrying (+1.0%). Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning production and supply registered a decrease by 4.7%. By broad industrial groups, increases were registered in capital goods industry (+11.4%), in durable goods industry (+8.6%), in intermediate goods industry (+3.9%) and in current use Business opportunities goods industry (+3.2%).

Trade and services: During 2014, compared to the previous year, the turnover volume of Economic & financial enterprises having as main activity retail, except motor vehicles and motorcycles, registered an News increase of 7.0%. Tourism: Arrivals in the tourist reception establishments registered a growth of 6.6% in 2014, International events compared to 2013.

International trade in goods: In 2014, FOB exports amounted to EUR 48659.5 million, their value Facts about Romania being by 6.5% higher than in the previous year, calculated based on the values expressed in EUR. In the structure of exports, three out of the 10 sections of goods in the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC Rev. 4) account for 74.4% of total exports (eg.: machinery Useful contacts and transport equipment 42.2%, manufactured products mainly classified by raw material 16.6% and miscellaneous manufactured articles 15.6%). In 2014, CIF imports amounted to EUR 53963.5 million, their value being higher than in the previous year with 6.0%, based on the values expressed in EUR. In the structure of imports, four of the 10 sections of goods in the SITC Rev. 4 account for 79.8% of total imports (eg.: machinery and transport equipment 35.3%, manufactured products mainly classified by raw material 21.4%, chemicals and related products not-elsewhere specified 13.7% and miscellaneous manufacture articles 9.4%).

In 2014, the trade deficit amounted to EUR 5304.0 million in FOB/CIF prices, EUR 91.7 million higher than in the previous year. The value of intra-community exchanges of goods during was Pg. 16/18 of EUR 34661.4 million for deliveries and EUR 40650.1 million for inputs, representing 71.2% of total exports and 75.3% of total imports. Source: National Institute of Statistics www.insse.ro

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Facts about Romanian Economy (cont.)

Table of contents Trade of goods between Romania and Sweden

• The year 2014 continued the positive trend of increasing bilateral trade, which reached a total figure of 7.000,38 million SEK, by 57% more than the level of 2010.

We highlight the strong growth of the bilateral trade in this period of time, in Business opportunities spite of the problems due to the international crisis started in 2008.

• This growth was due to the increase of both exports and imports, for the two Economic & financial parts, and it is why we have a balanced trade with significant prospects for growth News and diversification. Romanian exports in relation to Sweden increased with 100,8% during the last five years and the import of Swedish products raised by International events 14% in the same period of time. In 2014, bilateral trade balance was favorable to the Romanian side with a total balance of 1.867,20 million SEK. Facts about Romania • During the first two months of 2015, the total bilateral trade was 946 millions SEK, 13% less than the same period of 2014: the Swedish export reached 382 millions SEK, 9% more than in 2014, and the Romanian export to Sweden was 564 millions Useful contacts SEK, 22% less than the last year. The bilateral trade is keeping a favorable balance, of 182 millions SEK, for Romania in January-February 2015, period, and continue forecasts for growth and diversification.

Evolution of Trade between Romania and Sweden (millions SEK)

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2014/2010

Export 2.207,95 2.562,85 2.987,54 3.665,91 4.433,79 100,8%

Import 2.247,70 2.309,47 1.941,42 2.187,40 2.566,59 14,0%

Pg. 17/18 Total 4.455,65 4.872,32 4.928,96 5.853,31 7.000,38 57,0%

Balance -39,75 +253,38 +1.046,12 +1.478,51 +1.867,20

Business Newsletter Romania-Sweden Useful contacts

Table of contents Presidency of Romania www.presidency.ro Government of Romania www.gov.ro Parliament of Romania www.parlament.ro Business opportunities Ministry of Economy, Trade and Tourism www.minind.ro Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mae.ro Economic & financial National Bank of Romania www.bnr.ro News National Institute of Statistics www.insse.ro National Trade Register Office www.onrc.ro International events Customs National Authority www.customs.ro Official Journal of Romania www.monitoruloficial.ro Facts about Romania Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania www.ccir.ro Official Tourism Site of Romania www.romania.travel Useful contacts National Weather Administration www.meteoromania.ro Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport www.bucharestairports.ro Port of Constanta www.portofconstantza.com

Embassy of Romania in Stockholm http://stockholm.mae.ro/en Department of International Trade www.dce.gov.ro Trade Office of Romania in Sweden (email: [email protected] )

Pg.18/18