British Romanian Chamber of Commerce: The power of bilateral dialogue
Petre Barac
Posted On November 15, 2019
The fact that the BRCC has operated as a bilateral chamber of commerce between the UK and Romania for more than 21 years does not recognise the major changes which have happened in the Chamber. Moreover, the BRCC was founded when the UK and Romania were not both members of the EU. “We were lucky to be selected to participate in a UK Government scheme whereby Chambers of Commerce were asked to support the growth of UK exports into their host markets,” Neil McGregor, Chairman of the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce told The Diplomat – Bucharest.
That scheme has now come to an end, as the BRCC’ chairman states, but it has enabled the Chamber to develop at a much faster rate than would otherwise have been the case. “It has left the Chamber with a larger membership base, a higher profile with business and government both in the UK and in Romania and both a permanent staff and a volunteer leadership from both countries who are keen to grow trade and investment for the mutual benefit of both countries,” Neil McGregor adds.
The Brexit matters
Th BRCC’s perspective on business and investment cannot help but be seen through the prism of Brexit. “Whilst some of our member businesses thrive on risk, as a rule, political instability and unpredictable developments make it harder to make the case for business and investment. Measures such as Romanian Government Emergency Ordinances – particularly 114 of December 2018 – add to such uncertainty just as much as uncertainty over whether or not the UK will leave the EU with an exit agreement,” Neil McGregor adds.
According to BRCC’s official, the amounts of taxes and other payments to the state are political questions and the Chamber is not a political organisation. Taxes and payments to the state are however a cost of doing business and can hopefully be factored into a reasonable business plan. “Last-minute changes to budgets, particularly where the burden is increased, are a certain way to make it harder for business to be the engine of prosperity,” Neil McGregor adds.
As well as the overall business’ key voices, BRCC underlines the need for a stable and predictable business environment in which regulatory burdens are both reasonable and proportionate.
(From the print edition)
