Romania spends EUR 5 mln for participating at international fairs

Romania’s Economy Ministry has paid over RON 23.6 million (EUR 5.2 million) for Romania’s participation with national pavilions at 41 international fairs this year. These are the first conclusions of the analysis concluded by the Prime Minister’s Control Body. Some 319 companies benefitted of the program promoting Romanian exports in the first nine months of this year. The number of economic contracts concluded by the Romanian participants in the national pavilions amounted to over 23,000. Taking part at these fairs has increased the exports by EUR 200 million this year, according to a press release of the Economy Ministry. Between January 1 and October 20 this year the ministry scheduled Romania’s participation to 80 international fairs and exhibitions. The participation was cancelled in 39 cases. Romania has recently gone through a scandal related to the SIAL international food exhibition in Paris. The Romanian company selected by the Economy Ministry to organize Romania’s pavilion at this fair (Visa SA) refused to sign the contract arguing that it didn’t have enough time to organize the event. According to some sources, the problems came from the fact that the Economy Ministry organized the auction very late, and these delays happen often. The Economy Minister spent almost RON 1.2 million (EUR 266,000) for renting 654 sqm at the fair. The Romanian producers who had to go and display their products at SIAL had to organize their own booths. editor@romania-insider.com