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Agriculture: Dutch ambassador: Romania should take advantage of farming potential
Romania has a huge development potential in agriculture, but the field needs new technologies, infrastructure, education and a clear strategy, with investments and a reform of the legislative system, with the clarification of property titles, said the Dutch Ambassador to Romania, Johannes Hendrik Mattheus Van Bonzel, at Forbes CEE Forum.
He showed that another important aspect to improve competitiveness in Romania is the use of EU funds and recommended to spend the money allocated for development to build a highway connecting Hungary and Romania.
The ambassador pointed out that even in the case of building a highway a cadaster and a public acquisition system functioning well are needed. The authorities should make sure the owner of the expropriated land receives adequate compensation and all systems are functioning. He referred to fiscal reforms needed in Romania, pointing out that underground economy represents 30% and 50%, according to estimates, and a few billions which could be used in education and health are lost.
In Romania 30%-40%, some say 50% of underground economy, so we can imagine many billions lost because taxes are not paid and we see the health system and education do not receive what they need to cope with the citizens’ technological demands.These are conditions to be taken into account and the fiscal reform is crucial, the ambassador added.
He pointed to the fact that to increase competitiveness laws must be clear, the justice system must function well and there should not be corruption.
At the same time he recommended businessmen to have an open dialogue with authorities, as they represent the economic engine, they pay taxes and have the right to ask politicians to do the right thing to allow businesses to create new jobs and contribute to economic development.