Radu Timis, the businessman who, together with his wife, controls charcuterie producer CrisTim - with turnover worth over 90 million euros, says 2010 will be even tougher than 2009 for private companies because consumer spending will be significantly affected by the lack of funding.

"The crisis only begins this year, because private companies will have to repay loans granted in past years. In addition, nobody will start any project in the construction sector this year, and this will affect the whole chain: construction industry, construction materials sector, food for workers, taxes owed to the state," said the CrisTim chairman and shareholder.

Timis, 48, is one of the most pessimistic managers in the industry as far as the evolution of Romania's economy in 2010 is concerned, and expects a 5% decline. "2010 will be an entrepreneurial year, one of challenges, quick decisions, adjusting to the market, and making the business more secure, as well as one for opening new markets."

Therefore, although the businessman expects the company's business will see a 10% rise in terms of volume this year and a 14-15% rise in terms of value (calculated in RON), he says he has already taken the necessary steps to reduce the company's fixed costs in the first six months of this year, without providing further details. Timis only mentioned that these steps would prevent a decline in sales volume below the breakeven point.

In 2009, Timis surprised the entire market when deciding to return to the executive management of CrisTim and drop two management teams, including the one that ran the charcuterie business in the last five years, saying that, in a time of crisis, managers with an entrepreneurial spirit are needed.

After CrisTim's profitability had been "severely affected" in the first three months of 2009, although sales were still on a rise, the business