Adrian Tănase, ING: We are seeking to boost exposure to Romanian equity

Adrian Tănase, who manages equity fund ING Romanian Equity - one of the biggest investors on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, is optimistic about the performance of the stock exchange in 2011 and expects more significant investments in Romanian equity when market liquidity will allow it.
With around 268 million RON (62 million euros) in net assets under management, equity fund ING Romanian Equity has over 140 million RON (32.5 million euros) in investments on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, being one of the biggest institutional investors on the Romanian market. This compares with the 57 million-RON Stock Exchange investments of the biggest local equity fund, BT Maxim.
This year, the main local investments of ING fund have been in energy sector equity considered to be "defensive" such as that of Transgaz or Transelectrica, as well as stocks of the financial-banking sector such as BRD or Banca Transilvania.
"The year 2010 did not come as a surprise. We were aware of the difficulties facing the Romanian economy at the beginning of the year, that is why we preferred to invest in companies in 'defensive' sectors in the region, with the strategy bearing fruit to a large extent," said Adrian Tănase, investment director of ING Investment Management in charge of investments of ING Romanian Equity.