Mariana Gheorghe, the chief executive of Romania’s largest company said the country’s development strategy for the next ten years should be based on the relation between the three interdependent factors: business environment, society and public institution.
“I strongly believe in the modernization of Romania but every pillar (e.n: business, society, public institutions) must understand they are mutually dependent. We must build a strategy aimed at pooling our efforts to achieve our defined goals”, said Mariana Gheorghe (photo) at a seminar organized by Ziarul Financiar daily.
The head of Petrom said although in early 90s she had an important position in the Ministry of Finance (deputy managing director between 1991 and 1993), 20 years on in capitalism, and three years of “European life”, the Government’s role in the economy is not clearly defined.
The modernization of the country rests on three factors: consumption, investments and exports. “It is difficult to stimulate consumption and exports without focusing on enhancing investments”, the head of Petrom pointed out. She added that encouraging investment requires a scanning of the environment for any competitive edge Romania could have.
Furthermore, she continued, Romania should set a clear euro-adoption goal that could mobilize all forces. “This way we could find sources to increase value”.
Romania, major renewable energy potential
As for the company she runs, Mariana Gheorghe said Petrom was a successful privatization model, as 90% of its production output is sold in local filling stations.
“Petrom has two value chains, as it is an integrated company – we produce for the local market, and the surplus, if any, is exported”, Petrom representative said.
Romania enjoys an “exceptional” position in the renewable energy market. The oil and gas producer said recently it
