The share of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Romania’s GDP increased to 35% in 2024, compared to the 1990s, according to representatives of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC). At the same time, and with the help of FDI, the country’s economy grew 10 times, from 36 to 355 billion euros in 2024. Both FIC and a significant part of its member companies have a history of approximately 30 years of activity in Romania, which has brought investments, jobs, paid taxes, but also a long-term commitment to the development of Romania.

FIC representatives pointed out, during an event, that 51% of the turnover of companies in Romania is represented by companies with foreign capital, i.e. over 275 billion. euro from the country’s economy in 2023. FDI exports represent 69% of total exports. Companies with foreign capital employ over 1.3 million employees, in which they invest 1.5 times more than the national average and which maintain the same ratio when it comes to labor productivity (profit per employee) and profitability.

A more detailed analysis based on the data of the 110 FIC companies shows that they had a total contribution to the state budget of almost 82 billion lei in 2023 (representing over 18% of the current revenues collected by the state). At the same time, they transferred to the budget VAT and excise duties of over 31% of the total VAT and excise duties collected by the state. Investments of FIC companies represent 43% of public capital expenditures according to the consolidated budget execution. Employees of FIC companies, approximately 191,000 people, earned an average net salary almost double the average net salary in the economy.

The leaders of FIC companies discussed, during an event, together with the Interim President of Romania, strategic topics for the development of the economy, such as the country rating and tax reform; security and the defense sector; the strategy for attracting investments; the absorption of European funds; the capital market; health and education; reducing bureaucracy and digitalizing public administration; energy transition and climate targets; the new EU priorities for the industrial sector.