Cristian Marius Sporis, Head of Corporate Banking at Raiffeisen Bank Romania, a jury member at Business Review Awards 2024

As the Business Review Awards Gala 2024 is fast approaching and the nominations period is due to close on Friday, February 23, giving way to one week of jury deliberations (February 24 – March 3), we sat down with Jury Member Cristian Marius Sporis, Head of Corporate Banking at Raiffeisen Bank Romania, to talk about this year’s edition of BR’s most prestigious event, the Romanian business environment in 2024, and his role as a member in the jury committee.

What recommendations would you have for the business environment in Romania in 2024?

In the dynamic and ever-evolving Romanian business environment, not only for 2024 but also for the years to come, a key recommendation would be to focus on sustainable growth while minimizing environmental impact. Make the change to sustainable and low environmental impact businesses now. These are times of unique opportunities for Romanian business leaders to make corporate governance a cornerstone of business performance, resilience, and overall source of future growth.

Investments in performance, innovation, and technology are just as important. The resources and knowledge available now were once difficult to access, yet today, they serve as critical tools for enhancing business resilience and local market competitiveness. Embracing innovation and technological advancement is essential to achieve higher overall productivity and position Romanian businesses as competitive forces in the region.

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Equally important are investments in performance, innovation, and technology. The resources and knowledge available today were once difficult to access, but now serve as critical tools for increasing business resilience and competitiveness in the local market. Embracing innovation and technological advancement is essential to achieving higher overall productivity and positioning Romanian companies as competitive forces in the region.

And I encourage companies to support promising ventures that offer competitive advantages and to strengthen the value chain of their partner companies, just as they have learned from others. Many companies, especially start-ups, need guidance and know-how, which will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening the Romanian business environment.

How do you anticipate that the BRA competition will be this year by category, considering that 2023 was a complicated year from all points of view?

2023 has been a challenging year indeed, and I expect to see competitive projects across all categories. I also wish to see a strong orientation towards resilience, innovation, and adaptability. We have all went through the same challenges, business leaders know exactly what they previously lacked, so there should be a focus towards solutions that prioritize technological advancements and resilience. I anticipate that initiatives concerning renewable energy, digital transformation, and ESG will be in the spotlight.

What motivates you to be part of this year’s BRA Jury?

I see it as an opportunity to be close to the local business environment, to recognize and promote companies that add value and performance. Especially in times that are shaping the future economic landscape. It’s about recognizing those who have made a significant contribution to their industry, driving forward, setting new best practice and inspiring others in the business community.