Comparative advantage: Propelled by the road to European integration Romania displayed strong economic growth and a decreasing inflation rate until the effects of the crisis were felt towards the end of 2008. On top of the stabilizing factor of EU membership businesses benefit from a recently implemented 16% flat tax policy. On a social level the business climate is bustling but quiet – there are no major movements organized by worker unions and the small existing ones have agreements with the government.
Through Danube to Black Sea: Situated at the crossroads between the EU, the Balkans and CIS countries (former Soviet Republics), Romania sees the conjunction of three important pan-European transportation corridors: the corridor linking Western and Eastern Europe, the corridor connecting Northern and Southern Europe and not least the Danube River, facilitating inland water transportation and connecting the Romanian Port of Constanta (the biggest Port on the Black Sea) to Northern Europe, through the Rhine river.
Domestic dominance: Romania disposes of an important market with a steadily increasing domestic purchasing power. With more than 21 million inhabitants it is the 7th largest EU market by population.
Latin Roots: By tradition Romania has been the one CEE country which identified itself with Western Europe rather than its Slavic neighbours through its rich culture and Latin language. It thus does not surprise that many Romanians were studying or working abroad for some time and often speak more than one foreign language – especially languages based on Latin roots such as Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese but also English.
