PRESS RELEASE
Bucharest, April 23rd 2008

The organisers (Archicom, Bliss Romania and Trafic Media) are very pleased with the overwhelming interest for the third Logistics Seminar in Romania, this time dedicated to Supply Chain Management. Over 280 participants were participating in this unique logistics event. The seminar objective was to speed up the developments in the Supply Chain and Logistics field in Romania. A key ingredient of the seminar was to bring together international experience and local practice. This combination was high valued and supported by all participants and it was commented that this approach is very necessary in bringing forward improvements in the Supply Chains I Romania. The networking opportunities also created significant spin-off benefits.

About 85% of the attendees were supply chain managers and directors of Romanian companies. A high level of appreciation was expressed in the reactions to the programme that emerged during the panel discussion and questions at the press conference. Great enthusiasm about this initiative, and particularly the quality of the attendees, was also expressed by the sponsors. As well as the content itself, the opportunity for networking in the exhibition area during the breaks was particularly valued by all participants. During the programme expert panels discussed about the latest developments, concepts, solutions, bottlenecks, issues and risks.

All given presentations during the seminar can be downloaded at www.logisticsportal.ro

Recommendations & Conclusions from the seminar
The seminar came forward with a number of recommendations seen by the participating industry as important to be implemented at short notice:

• Romania needs to develop logistics hot spots
• Romania would benefit from an Industry Location policy focused on Inter-Modal Routes
• Especially local and regional authorities should collaborate closely with industry to bring structured solutions for the logistics hot spots
• Inland Water Transport brings the quickest and most cost effective inter-modal solutions for International Supply Chains running via Romania
• The current Danube – Black Sea Canal fee structure is hampering significantly the development of container transport on the Danube and should therefore be changed
• Significant Road and Rail development is needed in Romania between the logistics hot spots to optimize Domestic Supply Chains as it will bring significant savings to society
• Romania can develop itself faster into the East gate of Europe by implementing tax and customs solutions (as e.g. present in the Netherlands) that foster trade
• Romania can not wait with the improvements as otherwise the business will go to other countries

During the day various conclusions were drawn on the subject of Supply Chain Management, which were also supported by the online survey held:

• Visualization of and ‘financializing’ Supply Chains are critical key elements to enable optimizations: Yes 96% No 4%
• Supply Chain Management is the key focus area for a company to realize their business goals: Yes 75% No 21% no opinion 4%
• Supply Chain Management is not yet understood by the market: Yes 79% No 21%
• Supply Chain Management is in its infancy in the market: Yes 67% No 33%
• Supply Chain Management should be put higher on the agenda in the company: Yes 96% No 4%
• IT companies should bring more business and process knowledge to clients: Yes 82% No18%
• Speed is not the essential element; reliability is: Yes 78% No 22%
• There is a need for more Supply Chain Management training: Yes 96% No 4%

During the seminar three initiatives were launched:

1. Young Logistics Professionals
The first initiative was to give four young Romanian professionals the opportunity to follow a sponsored logistics education in the Netherlands this autumn. The sponsors are Archicom, the Rotary Eindhoven, and Fontys International School of Economics. Candidates can apply for one of the available position on www.logisticsportal.ro

2. Online Logistics Real Estate match
Per today the Romanian business community can online check on available logistics real estate via www.logisticsportal.ro.
In a strong developing economy and with the unique position of Romania within Central Eastern Europe many chances lay ahead for Romania to become the Logistic Corridor for Central Eastern Europe. This can only be achieved by strong collaboration between all parties and a central neutral “meeting point” where all Logistics professionals have easily access to information. The organisation aims to develop www.logisticsportal.ro as the “logistics meeting point” .
The team of www.logisticsportal.ro consists of Romanian and Western specialist in Logistics and Real Estate. More information: (0213187087) or office@logisticsmatch.ro

3. Successful start up Romanian Cold Stores Association
During the day Romanian cold stores operators were invited to participate in a workshop to initiate a cold stores association in Romania. This initiative was organised and supported by Mr. Wim van Bon, Chairman of NEKOVRI (the Dutch Cold Stores Association) and past president of ECSLA, the European Cold Stores and Logistics Association. In the EU more and more legislation is being developed and it all comes out of Brussels, and not out of Bucharest. The time that each individual company could arrange in Bucharest their own matters is over. For that reason cold store operators need to know what’s going on in Brussels. The best way to organise this is via a (to-be-formed) National Association of Romanian Cold Stores. During this successful first meeting the industry decided to form a Committee that will prepare a number of formalities that have to be done. The committee will prepare a constitutional assembly on 30 October 2008.

The next logistics seminar October 30th: “Location and logistics real estate development in Romania”The theme of this event will be focused on logistics real estate development in Romania. Archicom’s market contacts indicate a tremendous growth potential in Romania for this subject especially since logistics real estate is far wider then just warehousing. The 4th logistics event is planned for October 30th 2008. The seminar will address all aspects concerned with location choice and how to develop long term logistics real estate. All in combination with client driven warehousing, developing distribution structures, outsourcing, co-maker ship, warehouse and cross-dock engineering, IT, legal, flexibility and risks aspects.

For more information visit www.logisticsportal.ro or contact:
seminar manager mr. Joop Schaffels at +31 (0)40 2677272 / joop.schaffels@archicom.nl or ms. Dana Moasa at +40 (0)729-076601 / dana@idromania.ro