The volume of American investments in Romania, at the end of 2023, for which the most recent data is available, has a total balance of 8.9 billion USD, which places the US in 4th place in the top of countries with the largest investments in Romania, and the largest investor outside the European Union, claim officials of the Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce, AmCham Romania.
With a share of approximately 7% of the stock of foreign investments attracted by Romania, the number of American companies in Romania and the jobs they provide has grown steadily, exceeding 120,000.
At the same time, with a value of 2.2 billion USD, Romanian exports of goods to the US had a share of 2.5% of all exports in 2024, which places the US in 12th place in the top export destinations. Almost half of the value of exports is related to industrial products such as machinery, transport equipment, to which are added other product categories, such as clothing, furniture, instruments.
On the other hand, imports of goods from the US, with a similar structure in terms of product categories, have registered a constant increase in the last 10 years, reaching 1.3 billion USD in 2024 (1% of Romania’s total imports).
“The analysis of economic relations between Romania and the United States shows a positive dynamic, which Romania must capitalize on through a long-term vision and through public policies that strengthen competitive advantages and the trust of investors and economic partners.
“Although the public agenda is marked in this period by the urgency of corrective measures, with immediate impact, in line with our previous calls, AmCham Romania emphasizes the need to anchor economic decisions in an economic agenda of reform and development in the medium and long term. We must not limit ourselves to immediate measures, but on the contrary, we must initiate reforms that lead to a sustainable situation by maintaining the country rating and, why not, to its increase in perspective. In AmCham’s vision, the strengthening of economic relations between Romania and the United States has a proven potential to be an anchor for long-term economic growth,” AmCham officials say.
According to data analyzed by AmCham Romania, the evolution of economic relations, favorable to Romania, is due both to the commitments assumed based on the strategic partnership in the area of security and defense, as well as to trade exchanges and capital investments, in which sectors such as technology (ITC), energy, the automotive industry and manufacturing activities stand out.
“For the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania, the intensification of economic relations with the United States of America is part of the mission we have assumed on behalf of the entire business community that we represent. Together with American, international and Romanian member companies, AmCham appreciates the benefits that the Romanian economy can have by attracting a greater volume of American investment: capital, jobs and opportunities for the development of human capital skills and know-how transfer, opportunities for the integration of SMEs into global value chains, and increased competitiveness across the economy. In a socio-economic context under pressure from the budget deficit and correction imperatives, we reiterate the need to maintain Romania’s credibility as an investment destination and trading partner for American capital, and beyond. A sustainable way to increase sources of budget revenues is to create new jobs in the economy, including by ensuring a business climate that stimulates performance and innovation. Among the measures that AmCham has consistently promoted as fair, efficient and long-term solutions, we recall the flat tax rate, applied uniformly, and the elimination of discretionary measures such as the minimum turnover tax, the additional tax on oil and gas, the tax on special constructions – all of which have a major impact on industries that support Romania’s export offer,” said the President of AmCham Romania, Vlad Boeriu.
“Romania has stood out as an investment destination through an attractive fiscal framework, a well-qualified workforce – including in the tech industry – and an expanding digital infrastructure. It is essential that these competitive advantages are accompanied by public policies that restore trust and ensure a climate of predictability. In parallel, we need structural reforms that address the causes of current imbalances, a clear calendar of long-term strategic investments and increased administrative capacity to accelerate the implementation of complex projects. Whether we are talking about the digitalization of tax administration to reduce evasion, reforming the education system to increase equitable access to relevant skills in a transforming economy, reducing economic disparities between regions through investments in critical infrastructure, each is equally needed for Romania to be an attractive investment destination,” added Cerasela Baiculescu, Vice-President of AmCham Romania.
“The current crisis is also a moment of reset, which should not be limited to interventions to resolve emergencies. After the measures adopted to maintain the country rating, essential for Romania’s trajectory, not only from an economic point of view, but also societal and security, we need to sit down at the consultation table to identify together the necessary measures and actions and to start building on the basis of long-term desiderata, by implementing the structural reforms that have been postponed for too long,” concluded the President of AmCham Romania, Vlad Boeriu.
