PRESS RELEASE


The Foreign Investors Council (FIC), that has as its objective improving the investment climate in Romania through dialogue between the decision-makers and the business environment, initiates several debates with journalists on various public interest topics.

On Thursday, 19 November 2009, the debate regarding the issue of the renewable energy sector took place. Ms. Mariana Gheorghe, Vice President and Chairperson of FIC Energy Task Force, Ms. Veronica Savanciuc, member of the Board, and Mr. Jean Valvis, Co-Chairperson FIC Energy Task Force participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, FIC's standpoints regarding the field of renewable energy were presented.

FIC believes that the field of renewable energy is of strategic importance for Romania.

As a result of the commitments assumed by Romania as an EU Member State, the proportion of renewable energies should be increased to 24% of Romania's total energy consumption for 2020.

Under these conditions, FIC believes that the immediate enforcement of the provisions of Law No. 220/2008 is required and requests the competent public authorities (Ministry of the Economy, Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE), Competition Council) to make the necessary efforts to enforce the law.

FIC believes that the enforcement of the law adopted by the Parliament is a basic condition for encouraging investments.

Considering the importance of the field of renewable energy, FIC requests the relevant authorities to adopt a medium and long term strategy to develop renewable energies based on the national plan that Romania has to elaborate prior to 30 June 2010, according to the new European Directive No. 28/2009.

FIC believes that the funds allocated for supporting renewable energy is insufficient to develop the system.

The Foreign Investors Council (FIC) is an association of the leading foreign investors in Romania. The FIC was established in 1997 when it officially started its activity with 26 companies as members. Today FIC accounts about 110 companies whose cumulated investments in Romania represent approximately two thirds of the total foreign direct investments made since 1990. FIC includes multinational companies providing the Romanian economy with a variety of goods and services.

The member companies of the FIC believe that the dialogue between policy makers and the investors lies at the very heart of successfully improving the climate for investment while stimulating the development of the Romanian economy.

The FIC is well positioned to provide constructive input to policy makers given the breadth of its membership, both in terms of their international experience and their substantial investment in Romania.

The management of the member companies devotes its time individually or in work groups, proposing solutions to the decision makers. FIC has produced six "White Books", setting out detailed improvements which it felt were needed in the business and investment climate, based on research and debate by FIC members.

Foreign Investors Council (FIC) - www.fic.ro

For more details, plase contact Mrs. Doina Ciomag, Executive Director, at office@fic.ro