Romania’s place in the World

Modern communication is a good thing. When I first came to Romania, the people of Western Europe had heard of Romania, but knew very little about it or where it was. They knew it was somewhere over there but could not place it exactly. I had to explain many times to people where it was in Europe and what countries surround it.

In those days there was no internet or email. Computers were a rarity and faxes sometimes worked if you could get a telephone line. To dial internationally you rang a number and waited for an operator who might or might not connect you. You could only hope after three hours of trying to get the operator at least the person you were telephoning abroad was in so you could speak to them. This was very frustrating as a Romanian Law firm who wished to speak to their clients.

Romania and Eastern Europe was then a place of which very little was known.

Things have now improved as far as communications are concerned. We now have the internet and emails. Everyone has access to modern communications in some shape and form. Mobile telephones are de rigour and most people carry one and in some case two. We are now wired in Romania and connected.

The sad thing is that despite all this modernity Romania is still a country unknown to many. People’s opinions seemed to be formed by uninformed newspapers reports in the press or on the television and radio. Only bad news seems to come out of Romania.

As far as England is concerned most people from Romania are Gypsies. They do not realize that there is a difference and that there are two very distinct groups involved. I can only think this mistake is made because the readers, not being given the correct information, do not distinguish between “Roma” the name for the ethnic group that is present in all Eastern European Countries and “Romanians” who are people of Romanian origin. This is unfortunate but that is how it is seen. You talk to a Bulgarian or Slovak and they will also complain of the gypsies. They do not describe them as Romanians.

One also has to admit that Romanians themselves are often the authors of their own misfortune and this bad news. The publicity put out by the Government is weak and ill-informed. They do not seem to recognize the need for better communication. They need to emphasize the better points of and for Romania. The Romanian Ambassador in London has woken up to this fact and made a number of good points in the press and on television, but this has been too little too late.

This year will probably be no different in terms of publicity as Romania has elections for a new President. This should be seen as an opportunity for a change in the publicity if the election is carried out in a positive and transparent manner and not partisan mudslinging.

Over the years as Romanian lawyers and as a Romanian based law firm we have always tried to sell Romania at its best.  The people, the resources, and the fact that it is a place to make and do business. There are traits in the Romanian psyche which we could all change.  Romanians do not know everything and should perhaps listen more to foreigner who might know better, and then put into practice what they hear.

The good news is that over the last few months we have noted as I have written before a rise in interest in Romania. One year ago it was very hard to obtain meetings if you mentioned Romania but this has changed over the last period.

Romania in 2014 should be seen as a land of opportunity for all.  Not only for Romanians but for foreign investors.  Please see this recent article in the Economist which was published before Christmas.  Romanians should be proud of their country. They do not have to convince anyone but themselves, they must have the confidence to project the good things about Romania.

Everyone knows the bad but they should in 2014 look at the good and work on that.

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