Currently, the main projects under development are the completion of Craiova beltway and the road connection Craiova to Pitesti.
Premier Victor Ponta met Monday Ford Europe vice-president Wolfgang Schneider and Ford Romania president Jan Gijsen.
Ponta said Ford presence in Romania is very important both for the local economy and community, reassuring the company’s representatives they have all the support needed.
Two months ago, former Premier Calin Popescu Tariceanu said that Ford may be a “memory” should the authorities penalize the company without meeting in turn their obligation to accomplish the export infrastructure.
According to Tariceanu, the Romanian party has not met various commitments undertaken by Craiova cityhall, including an express road connecting Craiova to the highway system of the 4th Pan European corridor as well as an express road to one of the Danube ports.
Ford bought Romanian car plant Automobile Craiova in 2007. Ford had pledged to run a technological and environment investment project worth a total EUR675 million and a project for engine production, worth EUR250.00 million until March 19, 2012.
Ford and Romanian privatization authority AVAS signed in March an addendum to the privatization contract for local car plant Automobile Craiova, whereby the number of cars Ford will produce at its local plant will be lower than as stated initially.
According to the act, the U.S. carmaker will pay penalties for breaching output commitments and will waive state aid for personnel training.