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Doing business & staying in touch

A suit is essential at all business meetings and only on very hot days are shirtsleeves acceptable. English, German and French are used in business circles. Appointments are necessary and punctuality expected. Business cards are widely used.

Bucharest
Romanians are sociable and love to talk, so mobile phones are a must for doing business in the city. People are extremely friendly and a surprising number speak excellent English, although the older generation may prefer French or German. However, Bucharest natives are also extremely formal, in the old European sense, and business visitors should respect this tradition, making appointments for meetings well in advance. Punctuality is important and suits are expected. On greeting it is customary to shake hands and business cards are often exchanged.

Business lunches may take two hours, with wine or beer the most popular tipple. Work colleagues may socialise together in the evening at a local bar, although this tends to take place more among those working in multinational companies. It is relatively uncommon for Romanians to invite foreign businesspeople to their homes. Should this occur, gifts such as flowers, chocolates or high quality Scotch will always be appreciated. Summertime is not good for doing business as many companies go into hibernation. Easter and Christmas are also difficult, as companies and shops close down for an indefinite period. Normal business hours are Monday to Friday are 0900 to 1700.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1530.

Economy: 

Since the 1989 revolution, successive governments have concentrated on turning Romania into a market economy. Progress has been difficult, hampered by a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. Despite such challenges, Romania's economic growth rate crept up, becoming the highest in Europe, at least until 2009 where the GDP fell nearly 7%. Unemployment plagues the country, estimated at 8.1% in early 2010. The car and steel industries have been affected the most and foreign investment has plummeted. Romania is now heavily in debt which includes a €20 billion loan from the IMF.
For information on conferences and conventions, contact the Romanian Convention Bureau.

GDP: 

US$160 billion (2009).

Main exports: 

Textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals.

Main imports: 

Machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, agricultural products, textiles and textile products.

Main trading partners: 

Italy, Germany, Turkey, France and UK.

Staying in touch in Romania

Telephone: 

Public telephones are widely available and can be used for direct international calls; most require a calling card. Hotels often impose a high service charge for long-distance calls, but usually do not charge for local calls.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good around Bucharest but variable elsewhere. Local mobile phone hire is available.

Internet: 

Romania has numerous Internet cafés, some offering Wi-Fi.

Post: 

Airmail to Western Europe takes one week.

Post office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0730-2000, Sat 0800-1400.

Media: 

Romania's media are among the most lively in the region. The 1991 constitution upholds freedom of expression, but prohibits 'defamation of the country'. Private radio stations began to appear in 1990; over 100 of them now broadcast alongside state-run Radio Romania. A boom in the newspaper market followed the 1989 revolution, but many were later forced to close owing to rising costs. Daily papers include Adevarul, Libertatea, Evenimentul Zillei, Romania Libera and Jurnalul National, which has English-language pages. English newspapers and publications include Bucharest Business Week, Nine O'Clock and Vivid Magazine.

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