Bucharest offers to foreign investors a number of opportunities that help them to develop the businesses they run. The capital of Romania is not only an impressive tourist destination, it is also a business destination, the most important city in our country having a multitude of economic advantages that a businessman seeks when implementing a business plan.
François Coste is one of the most experienced foreign executives in Romania. With a career of more than 30 years in management, he has worked on several continents of the world, having the opportunity to know many cultures.
Since 2012, François Coste has been managing the business of a French insurer with an important presence on the Romanian market. In parallel, he is involved in many vital economic projects for our country, but also for our relationship with France.
From his position, François drew us an image of Bucharest, as seen by a man involved in the business environment, a man with vast economic knowledge.
From the beginning, he wanted to mention that “for foreign investors, Bucharest is more than a friendly city, full of opportunities. The capital is a magnet of talented, intelligent people, who have the skills searched by many companies.”
City safety is another quality that investors value. They also enjoy the fact that Bucharest is well connected with the rest of the country. Due to these qualities that the Romanian capital has, businessmen know that they can focus with confidence on the development of their business. “Last but not least, walking on the central streets of the city is a delight – old buildings with precious architecture, small shops and family businesses create a very pleasant atmosphere,” points out the CEO of the French insurance company.
The foreign executive recalls that “in addition to the geographical advantages, which offer the possibility to travel quickly from and to any other European country, Romania also has all the advantages offered by the internal market of the EU, by the community policies, as well as by the access to the structural funds destined for the development of the regions. Therefore, it is a market with very good growth and development potential”.
The city is constantly changing
The capital is in a continuous change with regard to the social and cultural environment, thus keeping pace with global trends. “I am fascinated by how street art has grown, both as a way of expressing political and social messages and as a tool for celebrating street festivals. Also, I noticed how, in recent years, social activities have developed in completely unconventional areas, and this has also resulted from people’s need for unique and original experiences. I also notice the emergence of an increasingly strong interest in alternative transport, the bicycle and the electric scooter, which I am pleased about, myself being one of the brave ones who spend a lot of time on the bicycle”, emphasizes François Coste.
In a city with a dynamic and developed cultural life, which can satisfy the most diverse tastes and interests, no one can say that he has reason to be bored. “I like Bucharest people, born or not in Bucharest. I like the green areas of the city and the lakes. I love to walk in the park, either on foot or by bicycle. It’s really a relaxing moment. In the category “to improve” I would put pollution and traffic. I am glad, on the other hand, that all these topics are being discussed more and more frequently in the public space, which indicates a maturity of the local community in terms of individual civic responsibilities, but also those of the local administration. Another sensitive point is that many of the heritage buildings, so beautiful, are not really well maintained,” says the CEO of the French insurer.
Being a great lover of outdoor walks and a supporter of an active lifestyle, François Coste relaxes best “on the bike”. Whether he rides his bicycle through Herastrau Park, near the lake or through Pipera, he enjoys these moments every time. “The walks through Filipescu Neighborhood are my favorite, due to the villas built in the first half of the 20th century. It is a splendid, bohemian area, which offers me a time travel at all times and shows me a Bucharest away from the specific bustle of a metropolis. I also like the Icon’s Garden, for its quietness and interesting history. And a building that fascinates me through its architecture and the events it hosts is the Romanian Athenaeum”, notes the foreign executive.
Sharing his experience in Bucharest, François Coste gave us the opportunity to see ourselves, through the eyes of a foreigner coming to business in the city, how the Romanian Capital appears. The fact that so many foreigners talk so beautifully about Bucharest should make us to review our attitude and leave behind the negativity that characterizes many of us when it comes to what Romania has to offer.
