The net direct foreign investment Romania attracted in the first four months of this year came to 576 million euros, almost 20% higher when compared to the same period last year, according to NBR statistics. However, foreign portfolio investment dropped by 150 million euros, amid profit repatriation.
Current transfers, frequently mentioned as a main source of foreign currency inflows and which seem to be flooding the market, were worth about 600 million euros, 37% higher as compared to January-April 2003.
Market signals for May indicate an intensification of foreign currency inflows, through both foreign and portfolio investments.
During the January-April period this year, 2,930 new commercial companies with foreign participation in their share capital were registered. Their share capital totaled 43.7 million dollars. According to data released by the National Trade Registry Office, the value of foreign investment witnessed during the first four months stood at $612.5 million (512.3 million euros).
Bucharest ranks first, having 882 new commercial companies with foreign participation in their share capital, accounting for 30% of the total.
The second position as favourite target for investors is held by Timis county.
In the first five months of this year, direct foreign investments exceeding one million dollars, considered to have a major impact on the economy, reached 419 million dollars, according to data made available by the Romanian Agency for Foreign Investments. The main domains that were targeted were telecommunications, with 28 projects worth 499 million dollars, accounting for 20.04% of total investments, and services, with 36 projects worth 353 million dollars, equaling over 14% of the total value of projects. The energy industry attracted 17 investment projects amounting to 338 million dollars. Next in the top economic sectors to have attracted new investment comes metallurgy - 13 projects with a value of 204 million dollars, accounting for more than 8% of the total investment value.
The car industry saw 19 new investment projects, involving another 204 million dollars.
Foreign investments were also aimed at the wood, cellulose and paper industry, involving 12 projects amounting to 135 million dollars. Trade activities drew in the highest number of projects (44), but their value stands at a mere 270 million dollars, accounting for just under 11% of the total sum invested during the first five months.
razvan.voican@zf.ro
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