In business, the exact time is given in Bucharest, being the city in Romania that manages to attract the most significant foreign investments. A statistical survey, carried out by the National Bank of Romania in collaboration with the National Institute of Statistics, reveals that the flow of foreign investments in our country was of 5.2 billion Euros last year. It is the highest value recorded after the crisis. Of this amount, a percentage of 60% was absorbed by the Bucharest-Ilfov region.
Why is Bucharest the city that attracts the most investments? The answer comes from one of the businessmen who brought to Romania a business developed in Italy. Moreover, this year he managed to establish the business headquarters in our country.
A business started in the Old Center
Alexandru Sautner, CCO GIOELIA Cremeria Italiana, affirms, without any hesitation, that Bucharest is a friendly city with foreign investors. “Yes, especially considering the fact that all the state institutions are here. The airport is nearby and you can easily go to any other destination. Most companies have their headquarters in Bucharest, which is very helpful in relations with business partners ”, says the businessman.
Among the economic advantages of the Capital, Alexandru Sautner indicates that Bucharest, being the largest city in the country, also has the largest market. “Demand is much higher in Bucharest. Then the workforce is easier and more trained. Depending on the specifics of the business, the opportunities for a suitable location are much greater ”, stresses the investor.
For 20 years, Alexander Sautner did business in Germany. From the money raised abroad, he decided to open a business in Romania. The artisan ice cream business started in 2015, when he opened the first ice cream parlor in the Old Center of the Capital.
“I returned to Romania after 20 years of doing business in Germany. For me, the reasons were more personal. I wanted to spend more time with my family and friends in Romania. From a business point of view, however, the Romanian market is constantly developing and there are many areas of niche with an extremely high potential for any investor. This is also the case for artisan ice cream shops. In 2015, we innovated through the concept proposed by us. With a trained and educated audience, the competition has become increasingly interested in this niche,” says Alexandru Sautner.
„Bucharest sets the tone!”
The businessman says that the lack of infrastructure is at the moment the biggest problem of Bucharest. He argues that the economic environment would benefit if there was “a much less bureaucratic system in terms of setting up and managing a company. Also, easier access to the institutions with which you have to contact ”.
Referring to the advantages offered by the Romanian capital, he once again nominates the fact that it is the largest market and thus, every business has, from the beginning, an extra chance in Bucharest compared to other cities in the country. “Personally, I like the speed with which things move, the fact that something is always happening in the business environment. The capital is a landmark in everything that is new. Bucharest sets the tone!”, points out the businessman.
Looking at today’s Bucharest, Alexandru Sautner emphasizes that “the city has changed for the better, from all points of view, even that of the infrastructure. Obviously there is more to be done. There have been built a lot of office buildings and shopping centers, which means that all the companies want to be here. The number of hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes has increased significantly, meaning that the city has a very active life, both during the day and at night ”.
Alexandru Sautner is very passionate about the business he runs, so he goes daily to one of the locations he owns both in Bucharest and in other big cities in the country to serve his clients along with his colleagues. During leisure, he likes to experiment the food of a new restaurant in the Capital. Also, he goes with pleasure in the Old Center area.
“I’m at my best with the family and that’s why we try to be as long as possible together, whether it’s a walk in the park or a movie. A football match with my friends, followed by a good meal and an ice cream, are always relaxing moments for me”, says the businessman.
Author: Ștefania Enache
Photo: Corina Gheorghe
