This is one of the Swiss magnate’s few public appearances. He is known in the business world as being very modest and shunning the spotlight as much as possible.
“We have to achieve international competitive standards in terms of energy efficiency and productivity, as we are competing with low-cost producers in countries like Egypt, Algeria, and thanks to the newfound shale gas, with the US. We also need to focus on the Romanian market by developing products that can help Romanian farmers achieve high-margin harvests and reduce the share of imported fertilizers,” said Andreas Zivy.
The Swiss billionaire will allocate around EUR250 million over the next three and a half years at Azomures to retool the plant and bring it up to EU environmental standards.
“First of all we have to reach the EU standards of environmental cleanliness to which Romania has committed by the end of 2014. This will require investments of more than $200 million, which have already started.”
Zivy is a very discreet presence, as are the owners of other major worldwide grain traders, such as the Cargill family and March Rich, the head of Glencore.
Two years ago, Andreas Zivy inherited from his father, Felix Zivy, a grain and fertilizers trading empire which operates in 28 countries and employs over 4,500 people. The group was established in 1948 by the owner’s grandfather.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)