COMMERCE SECRETARY EVANS: ROMANIA ONE STEP CLOSER TO
MARKET ECONOMY STATUS
U.S. Plans to Send Business Development Mission to Romania
Commerce
Secretary Don Evans today met with Romanian President Ion Iliescu
and Prime Minister Adrian Nastase to underscore the importance of
U.S.-Romanian commercial relations and praised Romania for its economic
and commercial reforms. In a press conference, Evans said that Romania
is strongly being considered as a market based economy and that the
Commerce Department will make a decision by March 10.
Evans
also announced that the Commerce Department will lead a business development
mission to Romania later this year. Evans is the first U.S. Commerce
Secretary in nearly 15 years to visit Romania.
Romania has significantly improved its economy and is one step
closer to market economy status, said Evans. Commerce
is key to promoting political and economic stability. Stronger economic
ties between the U.S. and Romania will promote economic growth, increased
innovation, greater productivity and a better quality of life for
all of our people.
The
mission aims to increase two-way trade and commercial cooperation,
fostering economic growth and creating jobs in both countries. Over
the past year, trade between the U.S. and Romania has increased by
almost one-third.
Romania
is a valued friend and trading partner. Commercial development between
our two nations will lead to peace and prosperity in the U.S. and
Romania creating a better world for our children and grandchildren,
said Evans.