Speaking at the Forbes CEE Forum, the ambassador said agriculture is one of Romania’s opportunities, but the agriculture requires high-end technology, education, new technologies and infrastructure.
He added that Romania has potential, but, in order to capitalize on this potential, it needs a clear strategy, investments and to reform its legislative system.
According to Van Bonzel, the use of European Union funds is another important aspect aimed at improving Romania’s competitiveness, and recommended the country should spend the money assigned for its development, namely, for the construction of a highway to link Hungary to Romania.
The high-ranking official went on saying the construction of highways entails, among others, efficient cadaster and public acquisition systems and authorities ought to make sure the owner of a land plot subject to expropriation gets proper compensations and nothing more, and that all systems work effectively.
The ambassador also pointed out that, in order to enhance its competitiveness, Romania must have clear laws, an efficient legal system and it needs to wipe out corruption.
Van Bonzel concluded saying that businesspeople in Romania ought to discuss openly with authorities, because they are the engine of economic growth, they pay taxes, therefore, they have every right to ask politicians to do what needs to be done, so that they can create new jobs, products and contribute to the country’s economic growth.