Romania’s trade experts convene at high level industry gathering in Bucharest

GTR‘s inaugural Romania Trade & Export Finance Conference convened in Bucharest at the Athénée Palace Hilton on October 30th.

Welcoming official support from the Ministry of Economy and EximBank Romania, the conference provided detailed insight on the opportunities offered to Romanian companies through tapping into high-growth emerging market trade flows, showcasing the role of the financial sector role in providing risk mitigation and funding for cross-border business with non-traditional trade partners.

Sponsored by a number of global and regional institutions and supported by leading industry bodies such as Aspen Institute Romania, Romanian Exporters Association (AREX), European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, British Romanian Chambers of Commerce, AmCham Romania and many more. The event welcomed participation from leading trading companies such as Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Cargill, OMV Petrom, Orange, A&D Pharma and Volvo, among others.

Trade growth opportunities formed the basis for the day’s discussions, including an opening keynote address from Pandelica Marcel Bogdan, Secretary of State, who outlined recent governmental initiatives to attract greater levels of FDI outside of the Western Balkan region, as well as discussing trade and import expectations for 2015. Other issues up for debate included a focus on a re-orientation of exports into non-traditional markets, the use of trade credit insurance, the implementation of supply chain finance, risk zones such as Ukraine/Russia and MENA, as well as the role that financiers can play in supporting the growth of Romania’s corporate sector.

Commenting on the significance of such a gathering, Roberto Musneci, Vice-President and Member of the Board at Aspen Institute Romania, a non-profit association dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship in Romania and its region, said “Romania’s geostrategic position makes it a bridge between Eastern resources and Western markets but also Western products and Eastern markets. The conference provided a unique occasion for exporters, importers and financial institutions to meet, discuss their needs and identify opportunities.”

The event also featured the GTR Supply Chain Masterclass on October 31, an interactive workshop that bridges the physical and financial supply chains, providing detailed insight for participating corporates and banks alike.