Business in Romania blog: Doing business in Romania and business issues

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

So, back from the (short) Christmas Vacation in Maramures. First time visiting this region and I must say I am deeply impressed by what I found there: amazing landscapes, great people, great food and a very nice atmosphere alltogether.

In order to get a better picture of how it looks like, here are some Maramures landscape pictures (sorry for the poor quality, some of them were made from the car...): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Posted by Mihai : 12/28/2005 09:54:00 am

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

BCR goes to ERSTE

Despite all the predictions from the market, which said that Millenium will win for sure, when the envelope was opened (actually, it was a hard-disk), ERSTE had the best price.

So, by paying a price of about EUR 7.75 / share, ERSTE won the BCR package of 61,88% of the company.

The price offered by Millenium was and will not be disclosed.

The contract will be signed tommorow, 21st of December. As a premiere for the Romanian market, the contract will be made public immediately.

So, we are going to have an Austrian bank in Romania. Another one, we could say. This should be a good thing, right? at least, the good part of it is that they have significat experience in the region, which should lead to good management and good results.

Posted by Mihai : 12/20/2005 11:56:00 pm

Great Band, Great Album

I recently found a great album, which is worth mentioning even on a business blog (hehe...Even business women/men listen to music, you know).

I am referring to Theatre of Tragedy's 2002 album called "Assembly". The band is well known to the gothic-rock fans from their early albums, when they played some real metal music (gothic), with lyrics sang in Old English.

Starting with Musique, the year 2000 album, they switched to an electronic rock / techno genre. Also, the lyrics changed dramatically.

I liked them since the beginning, I like them a lot nowadays too. Still, it's quite sad that the great voice of Liv Kristine won't follow them, since in 2004 the has been dismissed from the band.

But nevermind the story, just listen to the album. Theatre of Tragedy - "Assembly".

Later Edit: Leaves' Eyes (the new band of Liv Kristine) albums' are very much worth listening to. Try Vinland Saga for example.

P.S. I think I will make a habit in writing more about music on this blog...Or maybe start a new one dedicated to this subject. Any supporters or enthusiastics willing to participate? :))

Posted by Mihai : 12/20/2005 02:04:00 pm

Timeout Bucharest

This isn't really news, as others mentioned it a while ago, but still...

We can expect to have the printed (and hopefully online, too) version of the popular TimeOut magazine in Bucharest as well.

Until then, you can look over their blog.

This is a very nice step-by-step entry in the market strategy...first launch a blog (which is cheap to have, easy to maintain and still ensures a nice contact to your future customers), then launch a website and finally go print !!

Looking forward for their first issue.

Posted by Mihai : 12/20/2005 11:30:00 am

Monday, December 19, 2005

Nestle buys Delta Ice Cream

This might be a good news for the ice-cream loving people :)

Nestle has bought the Greece-based Delta Ice Cream company, which is market leader in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. The acquisition price: EUR 240 milion.

Delta Ice Cream's business is about 122 mln EUR.

Swiss ice-cream comming our way :)

Posted by Mihai : 12/19/2005 01:22:00 pm

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Soulfly comes to Romania

Soulfly comes to Romania again....in 2 months.

On the 20th of February, in Timisoara, in club The Note, starting with 20:00.

I am soooo disappointed they are not coming to Bucharest. I had the chance to see Max live once and...He's amazing.

Definitely a must-go-to. If you're from Timisoara, don't miss it !

Posted by Mihai : 12/13/2005 05:16:00 pm

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Rompetrol Takes Over Dyneff-France

Rompetrol Group acquired the entire capital of Dyneff - the largest independent distributor of oil products in France - and of its affiliated entities while the acquisition is expected to double Rompetrol’s turnover in 2006, to USD 5 bln.

“This acquisition, Romania’s first and most significant one in the European market, will enable Rompetrol to double its turnover, which will reach $5 bln in 2006, double its storage capacity, increase the number of its petrol stations by 70 per cent, its total assets by 25 per cent, its operational profits by 20-25 per cent and its net profits by 10-12 per cent,” Patriciu stated.

He did not disclose the transaction value, but emphasised that it is a direct financing, mostly funded by Societe Generale.

Negotiations over the Dyneff take-over started eight-nine months ago, and detailed talks five months ago.

The transaction will be finalised in the first quarter of 2006.

The 226 petrol stations in the Dyneff network will be re-named “Station du Soleil” and will bear the Rompetrol logo.

Posted by Mihai : 12/10/2005 11:17:00 am

Friday, December 09, 2005

New GM at Interbrew Romania

Mihai Ghyka is going to be, starting from 1.01.2006, the new general manager of Interbrew Romania. He will follow Mihai Albu, who has been promoted as head of business unit for the region.

I got the chance to know Mihai Ghyka while working on a project together with Interbrew this year, and I can say he is a great guy and I believe he will do an excelent job.

Congratulations !

Posted by Mihai : 12/09/2005 08:42:00 am

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Personal Post

1st good thing: I found someone as passionate about the job as I am.
2nd good thing: Is my boss.
3rd good thing: there are more to come.

:)

Sorry for the very slow posting, just been busy. Busy with that passionate work. But a nice comeback is about to come, so stay tuned (or RSS subscripted).

Posted by Mihai : 12/07/2005 10:11:00 pm