She did not disclose the names of these companies, citing confidentiality conditions.
Vass explained that the Government has six months to find “compensatory solutions” for Cluj county and that Boc Thursday took over negotiations with the 21 investors interested in the Romanian market. The ten companies with which the Government is in advanced talks are included in these 21 investors.
“There are 21 potential projects worth over EUR1 billion, which could create more than 8,000 jobs. Furthermore, the Finance Ministry is evaluating another 20 investment projects, which have applied for state aid. In the latter case, we are talking about investments of at least EUR5 million each, required to create at least 50 jobs each,” said Vass. The total value of the projects being evaluated by the ministry is EUR388 million.
She said Prime Minister Emil Boc asked the Nokia officials whether the factory’s shutdown can be prevented through government measures, but they replied it cannot.
“Nokia’s decision to close the Jucu factory by the end of the year is solely managerial, part of a strategy for survival as the company faces a difficult situation, selling fewer cheap phones in Europe and more in Asia. The Government cannot stop the factory’s shutdown, so let us not politicize a purely economic topic,” said Vass.
According to data presented by the prime minister’s advisor, Nokia contributed 92 million lei (EUR21.28 million) to the local budget last year and RON45 million in the first eight months of this year. The company’s share in Romania’s total exports was 7.8% in 2010 and 9% at the beginning of this year.
The Cluj county council on Thursday decided to set up a commission to analyze the contract signed with Nokia and see if the state can recover a part of its EUR20 million investment in the factory.
Nokia on Thursday announced it would shut down its Romanian plant, within a broader strategy meant to restore competitive edge. The company is also taking a closer look at its plants in Mexico, Finland and Hungary. The planned closure of the factory combined with adjustments to supply chain operations is estimated to impact approximately 2,200 employees, the company said, adding laid off employees would benefit from severance payments.
(EUR1=RON4.3218)