Economic and trade mission of the Francophonie
The International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) is organising an economic and trade mission in Central and Eastern Europe, in Bucharest, Romania from 27 to 29 March 2024. This mission is part of the Economic Strategy for La Francophonie 2020-2025, which aims to increase trade and investment between its 88 member states and governments.
Over two and a half days, the mission will coordinate a high-level economic forum alongside B2B networking sessions, including support from experts, as well as visits to company sites and opportunities for networking and informal discussions.
The aim is to enable participants from Africa, Asia, North America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Indian Ocean to identify and consolidate trade and investment opportunities thanks to the meetings that will be prepared and held throughout the missions.
Registration is encouraged for as many companies as possible from the 88 member states and governments of La Francophonie. Over a hundred applicants will be selected for the mission.
Particular emphasis will be placed on companies involved in the following sectors: • The agri-food sector;
• The digital sector, particularly cybersecurity and the video games industry;
• Green energy;
• The medical industry.
Romania has been a member of the European Union (EU) since 2007 and offers a stable, promising environment for French-speaking businesses. The country has a number of definite economic advantages:
• A central geopolitical position, ie. access to the Black Sea, proximity to the Middle East and EU
member states at all external borders;
• A sizeable domestic market offering real growth opportunities;
• A historically strong industrial and manufacturing sector.
Romania is also characterised by the growth of its tertiary sector, which is developing around new technologies and information technologies: services currently account for 60% of GDP and employ 50% of the country’s workforce.
The agricultural sector also offers great potential in Romania, thanks in particular to the availability of fertile land, only a third of which is currently cultivated.
In order to promote economic growth, the country is also stepping up the implementation of specific measures to attract foreign investment in its country through tax incentives. With this in mind, Romania is focusing a great deal on the development of business and investment relationships between its companies and their French-speaking peers.
We hope that this mission will offer opportunities for everyone involved to make meaningful connections and develop their business!