George Copos: Had I not sold my MobiFon stock, I would have been in the Maldives now

George Copos, 57, one of the best-known Romanian businessmen, who controls seven hotels in Romania, several pastry shops, an electrical engine plant and other assets through Ana Holding group, with turnover stagnating at 75 million euros in the first ten months of the year, says if he had not sold his 9.6% stake in MobiFon (currently Vodafone) he held in 1996, he would have been in the Maldives now. "I would not be making bread, electrical engines, or anything else for that matter," says George Copos, who could have collected millions of euros in dividends per year had he held on to his stake in the former MobiFon.

The businessman says the 25 million-euro investment he made in the three mountain resort hotels (Bradul, Sportul and Poiana) did not bring him one RON in dividends. The investment in the Europa seaside hotel proved to be a "mistake" considering the lack of road infrastructure, which keeps tourists away from the seaside.