More exactly, the second pandemic year saw 180 deals being clinched locally, in line with an analysis by consulting and audit company EY. The number is 22% higher than the previous year’ level and even slightly above the one of 2019.
By comparison, 198 deals were concluded in the Czech Republic and 405 in Poland, the strongest economy of CEE.
Romania thus ranks second in the region in terms of nominal GDP, after Poland, and third by the number of deals. Still, data for 2021 show the local market is closing in on the Czech Republic.
“Romania is the second biggest economy of the region, after Poland and in terms of the M&A market it ranks third, but it is only marginally behind the Czech Republic. By size, it is a significant presence in the landscape,” says Iulia Bratu, associate partner, head of lead advisory at EY Romania.
As regards Romania, it is interesting to notice that there’s low volatility on the market, significantly below that of other countries in the region. This makes the local market be rather close to mature markets in terms of evolution.
Romania’s M&A market is going through a period of sustained growth, which started in 2014-2015, and the upward trend seems to be continuing, with good premises despite inflation and the war in Ukraine.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)