2024 Forum

"Our economic partnership spans critical sectors from Energy, Information Communication Technology, and Transporation to Healthcare, Education, and Defense. We have supported each other in developing critical infrastructure, diversifying energy sources and resources, enhancing cybersecurity, modernizing military capabilities, and advancing scientific research and education. Expanding the U.S. presence and American investment in Romania is a major priority for the U.S. Government."

Ambassador Kavalec underscored the enduring partnership between the U.S. Embassy and AmCham that is built on a strong commitment to the rule of law, good governance, a favorable investment and business climate, and the core industries that have become pillars of economic cooperation.

"Romania is a gateway in many ways - a gateway for Moldova's and Ukraine's membership with the EU and NATO, a gateway to the Black Sea, and will be a gateway for economic reconstruction."

Deputy Special Representative Barker thanked AmCham Romania for bringing Ukraine into the conversation on attracting U.S. FDI in Romania and in the region and shared with the audience the U.S. financial commitment to support Ukraine, at present and after the war, as well as support programs developed together with international partners. He made a strong point that recovery is not only something for the future. Reconstruction already it started and many American companies have joined this effort. He also stressed Romania's good position to support logistics and supply chains needed for the reconstruction effort.

"Congratulations business owners, business executives, entrepreneurs, and partners, serving and running important industries that power our today and our tomorrow. You are  making a powerful statement of interest in being part of our renewed Romanian-American prosperity agenda: more trade, more investment, more projects. We will be sparing no effort in our mission to unlock every door towards greater cooperation between Romania and the U.S."

Ambassador Muraru acknowledged the essential role of businesses in advancing bilateral cooperation and pointed out that the all-time best bilateral relations and the growing economies of both countries make the present the best time to increase trade and investment.

"Romania's partnership with the United States will remain a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Both our countries recognize the need to stand for the rule-based international order, advocating for international law and respect for independence, sovereignty, and freedom.
We are a stable, predictable market for U.S. Companies."

The head of Romania's diplomacy highlighted the evolution of economic relations between Romania and the United States, the country’s main advantages as a destination for U.S. investments, focusing on Romania’s efforts to be the regional pillar for energy security and on opportunities related to Ukraine’s reconstruction. 

"The main word today is 'partnership', and Romania and the U.S. already have an excellent partnership. The Romanian Government is willing to have an economic partnership as solid as the one in defense. Romania has the potential to become a regional hub for U.S. investments."

"Romania has a high potential not only due to its geostrategic position, but also due to the robust economic growth that Romania had during the past 10 years, and the development of strategic industries. Romania is a gateway to the entire EU, with major investments in the port of Constanța. Romania has the potential to develop partnerships in sectors such as Agriculture, ICT, and Defense. The know-how of American companies and Romanian companies can make the partnership effective for both countries and for all the Eastern European countries."

"Romania has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and this drives the national energy strategy. The green transformation is ongoing and has three pillars: increasing the capacity to generate renewable energy, increasing resilience in the energy system, and natural gas – Romania is the largest producer in the EU, which increases Romania’s role in ensuring energy security for the region. All these developments in generation will need reinforcement of the grid and almost EUR 2 bn. were allocated to reinforce the transmission grid. For the last component of the chain, the end customer, a lot of instruments were offered both to industrial customers and households. These will help all industries to have access to good energy prices which is very important in investment decisions."

"Romania’s leading priorities in Healthcare are reflected in the large financial allocation for health projects via the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. We have committed to setting up a functional e-health agency and a national innovation hub in healthcare. When discussing healthcare, we discuss technology, digital solutions, the pharma industry, and new technologies in the field."

"We have a strong regulatory framework to help Romania make the most of its Black Sea positioning. The first thing a company needs when investing is rules. We have a new law that outlines all the steps a company needs to make to invest in the Black Sea region and for this law, we had support from the U.S. Government. We are a NATO country, and we provide a healthy and stable environment for companies. The Government also provides state-aid for companies investing in offshore and there are a lot of opportunities for U.S. companies wanting to invest."