Business Opportunities ROMANIA - KAZAKHSTAN

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► Political and diplomatic relations

► Bilateral Relations Romania - Kazakhstan

► Trade and economic cooperation

В настоящее время торгово-экономические отношения между Казахстаном и Румынией развиваются динамично. Необходимо отметить, что интенсивное развитие отношений последовало по итогам визитов президентов Н.Назарбаева в Бухарест в ноябре 2007 г. и Т.Басеску в Астану в марте 2010 года.

Основными направлениями казахстанско-румынского торгово-экономического сотрудничества получившим развитие являются: энергетика, машиностроение, металлургия, транспорт и логистика, а также легкая промышленность.

Одним из важнейших инструментов по решению задач торгово-экономического сотрудничества остается казахстанско-румынская Межправительственная комиссия по торгово-экономическому и научно-техническому сотрудничеству (МПК).

Особое место в двусторонних торгово-экономических отношениях занимает сотрудничество в энергетической сфере. Так, в 2007 г. дочерним предприятием АО НК «КазМунайГаз» – «Переработка и маркетинг КазМунайГаз» было подписано соглашение о приобретении 75% пакета акции «RomPetrol Group NV» (далее - Ромпетрол) и в 2009 г. дополнительных (оставшихся) 25% акции компании Ромпетрол. Тем самым, АО НК «КазМунайГаз» стал 100% владельцем компании Ромпетрол, имеющую сбытовую сеть из более чем 1000 АЗС в 6 странах Европы (Румыния, Болгария, Грузия, Украина, Франция, Испания).

Таким образом, Республика Казахстан является одним из крупных иностранных инвесторов в Румынии. При этом планируется продолжение реализации инвестиционных проектов в Румынии. Следует отметить, что покупка является первым крупнейшим инвестиционным проектом Казахстана на территории Европейского Союза.

По данным румынской стороны, в Румынии на сегодняшний день зарегистрированы 13 румыно-казахстанских предприятий, с общим капиталом в 56,2 млн. долл. США, работающих в сфере торговли мебелью, одежды, обуви и медикаментов.

Тем временем в Казахстане за последние годы были также созданы несколько совместных предприятий, таких как Delta Spetstroi (строительство), Торговый дом Казахстан-Румыния «KazRom», Imsat-Казахстан (электротехническое оборудование), Energosmart Казахстан (электрическое проектирование), зарегистрированы совместные предприятия по промышленному и гражданскому строительству, монтажу нефте-газо-водопроводов и промышленной обработке сырья с выпуском конечной продукции «Мангыстау жолдары» и «SC Videli SRL».

July, 15th, 1992 - diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Romania were established. November, 1993 - Embassy of Romania in the Republic of Kazakhstan was opened. September, 2003 - Diplomatic mission of Republic of Kazakhstan in Romania is opened. Since May, 2008 – Mr. E.Rapcea has been the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Kazakhstan.

Today between Kazakhstan and Romania there is a consistent intensification of political dialogue, dynamic development of bilateral trade-economic, cultural and humanitarian ties, as well as coordination of efforts between the two countries within the UN, OSCE and other international organizations. Intensification of relations between the two countries facilitates the bilateral political dialogue on security and sustainable regional development, as well as increased volumes of trade and economic cooperation.

The dynamics and content of the meetings on high level indicates the special nature of bilateral cooperation. Now between the heads of states is established a permanent and fruitful contact. Starting 1998, held a series of visits and summits.

September, 1998 - official visit of the President of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev to Romania. November, 1999 - official visit of the President of Romania E.Constantinescu to Kazakhstan. September, 2003 - official visit of the President of Romania I.Iliescu to Kazakhstan.

Special impetus to bilateral cooperation was given by the visits of the Presidents N.Nazarbayev in November 2007 to Romania, as well as T.Basescu in March and December 2010 to Kazakhstan. They were aimed at the development of mutually beneficial political, economic, trade and cultural cooperation between the two countries, and interest in the context of foreign policy priorities of Kazakhstan to deepen relations with the European Union.

At the present time trade and economic relations between Kazakhstan and Romania are developing dynamically. It should be noted that the intensive development of relations followed by the visits of the Presidents N.Nazarbayev in November 2007 to Bucharest, as well as T.Basescu in March and December 2010 to Astana.

The basic directions of the Kazakhstan-Romanian trade and economic cooperation had development are: power, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, transport and logistics, and also light industry. One of the major tools under the decision of problems of trade and economic cooperation has still the Kazakhstan-Romanian Intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation (IGC).

Cooperation in the energy sector take a special place in bilateral economic and trade relations. So, in July 2009, a subsidiary of National Company JSC «KazMunayGaz» - «Processing and Marketing KazMunaiGaz» signed an agreement to acquire additional (remaining) 25% block of shares of «RomPetrol Group NV» (hereinafter - Rompetrol). Thus, JSC «KazMunayGaz» became owner of Rompetrol’s 100% shares, which has sales network of more than 1000 filling stations in six European countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ukraine, France, Spain). In this way the Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the largest foreign

investors in Romania.

At the same time, it is planned to continue of the implementation of investment projects in Romania. It should be noted that this purchase is the first major investment project of Kazakhstan to the European Union. According to the Romanian side, nowadays in Romania registered 13 Romanian-Kazakhstan enterprises with total capital of 56,2 million USD working in the field of trade of furniture, clothing, footwear and medicines.

Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan over the past year were also set up several joint ventures, such as Delta Spetstroi (construction), Kazakhstan- Romanian Trading House «KazRom», Imsat-Kazakhstan (electrical equipment), Energosmart Kazakhstan (electrical engineering), as well as registered joint ventures in the field of industrial and civil construction, installation of oil, gas and water pipelines, and industrial processing of raw materials with the release of the final product «Mangystau zholdary» and «SC Videli SRL».

Source: http://www.kazembassy.ro/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=76&Itemid=93&lang=en

When considering Romania as a possible location for developing their businesses, foreign investors take a close look to the advantages provided by our country:

Market & Location Advantage

• One of the largest markets in Central and Eastern Europe (ranking 7th in EU , with over 21 million inhabitants);

• EU unique market gateway (access to approximately 500 million consumers);

• Attractive location: situated at the turning point between EU, the Balkans and CIS countries, Romania is crossed by three important pan-European transportation corridors: corridor no. IV linking Western and Eastern Europe, corridor no. IX connecting Northern and Southern Europe and no. VII – Danube River, facilitating inland water transportation, at the same time connecting the Romanian Port of Constanta (the biggest Port to the Black Sea) to Northern Europe, through the Rhine.

Resource Advantage

• Highly skilled labor force at competitive prices (solid knowledge in foreign languages, technology, IT, engineering, etc);

• Rich natural resources, including surface and underground waters, fertile agricultural land, oil and gas;

High potential for tourism.

Political Advantage

• Stability factor in the Area - NATO membership;

• Stability Guarantee in South Eastern Europe;

 • EU membership.

IR Advantage

 • Bilateral agreements between Romania and other countries on investments promotion and protection;

• Bilateral diplomatic relations with 177 out of the 191 UN member states, plus the Holy See, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Palestinian National Authority;

• Member of the UN and other international organizations, like: OSCE, Council of Europe and International Organization of La Francophonie;

• Free trade agreements with EU, EFTA countries, CEFTA countries;

• WTO member since January 1995.

Economic Advantages

• State aid schemes for encouraging investors to take upon Romania;

• Major interest of Foreign Investors – leader destination for FDI in the region;

• Sound fiscal policy (16% flat tax)

Legislative Advantages

• Similar legal provisions as in EU (AcquisCommunautaire implementation);

• Fiscal policy regulated by the Fiscal Code.

Social Advantages

• Agreement between Government and major unions;

• No major union movements;

• Labor relations regulated by the Romanian Labor Code.

Other Advantages

• Similar legal provisions as in EU (AcquisCommunautaire implementation);

• Fiscal policy regulated by the Fiscal Code.

• Continuously improving infrastructure (Executive’s commitment to improve the highway infrastructure to EU standards);

• Well-developed networks of mobile telecommunications in GSM systems;

• Highly developed industrial infrastructure, including oil and petrochemicals;

• Presence of branch offices and representatives of various well-known international banks;

• Extensive maritime and river navigation facilities.

 Source: http://ukinromania.fco.gov.uk/ro/business/business-investment-in-uk