Access, budget, collaboration – Sibiu’s ABC of attractions

Newsroom 08/05/2014 | 14:47

The creation of a unique county bureau for investments that would reduce and simplify investment procedures is just one of the initiatives that Sibiu County Council has to attract more investors, council president Ioan Cindrea told BR.

Simona Bazavan

What are the top five reasons a company, Romanian or foreign, would choose Sibiu to do business over another county in the region?
First, geographical position and accessibility. Sibiu County is crossed by two European roads – Pan-European Corridor IV (A1) and the Transylvania highway (A3) – plus four national roads, 953km of county roads and 406km of local roads. There is also Sibiu International Airport which is very important for central Romania and southern Transylvania. Second, the existing infrastructure, the available utilities in areas of interest for the development of industrial parks and industrial areas as well as available plots of land for concession or sale to potential investors. Friendly administration is the third reason. There is very good collaboration between all institutions and firms in the county. We are also working on creating a unique bureau for authorizing investments which will mean shorter and simplified procedures. We are testing the IT system and estimate that it will become operational in May. Investments require qualified workers and this is the fourth reason. We have five universities offering educational programs in line with labor market requirements. The high school and professional educational system is flexible and can easily adapt to investors’ professional qualification requirements. The fifth reason is Sibiu itself, a tourist and cultural destination and a European Cultural capital in 2007. There are over 150 local festivals and events each year in Sibiu and we are working to create the right conditions to encourage tourists to discover other attractive areas of the county.

What are the main fiscal incentives available to investors in Sibiu?
These are offered by each local administration, but there are industrial parks and areas in the county where the infrastructure and utilities required by investors are available, and developments poles that could lead to the creation of more such areas. Another facility is the unique investment bureau I mentioned. Also, Sibiu County Council, Sibiu Prefecture, Sibiu’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and all county institutions offer consulting to any interested investor.

What investment projects with the potential to impact the local business environment are underway in Sibiu?
The county’s budget is focused on development this year, with one third of total funds allocated to such projects. These funds, and EU money, will mainly go towards road infrastructure, highways A1 and A3, plus several county and local roads which we would like to complete by 2016. Another important aspect is the development of Sibiu International Airport in terms of passenger traffic and the construction of a cargo terminal. And we will continue to develop the utilities networks and the healthcare network where we have several hospital renovation projects. Local tourism is another important chapter and we plan the renovation and development of the Paltinis mountain resort, the Balea alpine area, the Bazna and Ocna Sibiului spa resorts and themed tours.

What is the county’s economic development strategy for the coming years and are there any local industries you are focusing on promoting?
Firstly, we don’t accept polluting industries or shale gas exploitation. Now that we have settled what we don’t want for Sibiu, there is a strategy for the county’s economic development drafted for this term but which goes as far as 2020 and beyond. The objective is to increase the county’s economic competitiveness which means support for industrial parks and areas, attracting investments, investor support, job creation, the setting up of a development agency and simplified authorization procedures. Another focal point is improving the workforce through training programs for traditional occupations such as crafts and creative industries demanded by the job market. The promotion and development of a modern and competitive economy, focused more and more on knowledge, creativity and innovation, is our main strategic development goal. This will ensure long-term, balanced and sustainable development for the county. To sum up, the county’s strategic priorities are an industry based on advanced technologies especially with a focus on the automotive sector, IT, R&D, tourism, organic farming, the food industry and the sustainable development of rural areas.

How many industrial parks are there in Sibiu and do you plan to create new ones?
At present there are three, in Selimbar, Sura Mica and Medias. There is also a business incubator in Sibiu managed by the local Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and several industrial areas: Sibiu-Vest, Carta, Ocna Sibiului and Copsa Mica. We definitely want other such areas and we have indentified potential in Agnita, Avrig, Marsa, Talmaciu, Dumbraveni, Saliste, and Miercurea Sibiului. The locations have the right conditions, the infrastructure is complete or almost complete and they have easy access. This is why we will hold an international business forum in June to which we have invited dozens of ambassadors and economic attaches to show them the numerous business and investment opportunities Sibiu offers. We have also initiated dialogue with the local administration, business communities and civil society to identify specific investment needs.

I would like to thank Business Review for the interest you have shown Sibiu county and I invite all your readers, businesspeople or not, to come and convince themselves that Sibiu county has a strong identity, it has hardworking and fair people and the county administration is here for them.

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