clusters study clusters romania

8/2/2019 Clusters Study Clusters Romania

1/9

South-East Europe Programme

Watermode Project

Romania: Study caseon the transferability of theclustering experiences

Written by: NC MPA CONSTANTZA

2011


2/9

In Romania, the planned and autarchic economy before 1989 was leading towardsa certain type of clusters, namely the former "industrial centres". The period after theRevolution was marked by a huge decrease of the industrial activity, by a relocation of

resources and a repositioning of the economy. It is only after 2001, when the economical

growth has finally started, that a discussion about industrial concentrations makes sense.

A number of studies identified industrial concentrations similar to clusters inRomania. The first one was coordinated by the International Centre for Entrepreneurial

Studies (CISA) in Bucharest in 1998. This research was commissioned by the World

Banks Institute for Economical Development and it focused on the competitiveness ofthe Romanian entrepreneurs. The analysis identified the existence of three incipientcluster forms for software manufacturing, naval engineering and wood industry.

Another major reference of the cluster research field in Romania is the analysis by

Marco Riccardo FERRARI, research assistant of Economical Department of theUniversity of Milano. The study was based on the Italian methodology of industrial

districts identification. The survey identified also three "proto-districts", for the wood,

textile and ceramics industry.

A third relevant research study was developed by Valentin IONESCU, whoseanalysis was based on the previous studies. In his study, Valentin Ionescu observes the

difference between applied methodological criteria by other studies and underlines theuncertainty of a cluster definition. The researcher agrees that there are no functional

clusters in Romania, regardless of the definition used. Nevertheless, Valentin Ionescu

gives evidence of the presence of the "proto-clusters" or "emergent clusters". The

analysis questionnaire was applied only to two possible clusters, one in the ceramicsindustry (Alba) and the other one in the software industry (Bucharest).

The fourth relevant source for the situation of the Romanian clusters is the VICLI

project, developed within the European Program INTERREG II C - CADSES. Theproject began in 1999 and lasted until 2001 and tried to identify and to support the cluster

development by means of regional know-how transfer. Romania was a partner country in

the project and the Transnational Expert Group designated Harghita County as an eligible

pilot area for the implementation of the project methodology. The VICLI final report forRomania identified four potential clusters that emerged in the Harghita County (Region

Centre): wood processing, pottery, printing and equipment.

A fifth important project of cluster studying in Romania was the INCLUD

project, financed by Interreg III B CADSES Programme. The project run during 2003 2004 and its objective was the study of potential clusters in the partner states from

Central and Eastern Europe as well as their support based on the Austrian and Italian

experience. Thus, some potential clusters were identified in the textile sector (North-EastRegion, Bacau County and Region West, Timis County), software (Timis, Cluj and

Bucharest), wood processing, steel components and metal products (Region Centre).

Moreover, the Brasov County had concentrations of companies in the area of chemicalindustry, machinery and engines.

Another reference for research in Romania was the WEID project, which

investigated, through case studies, the relations between clusters, at European level. The

project ran for three years, during September 2001 and end of 2004. The project gatheredseven partners from Western Europe (Germany, Italy and Great Britain) and Central and

Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia and Romania). From a total of 15 case


3/9

studies, two referred to Romania and the existence of potential clusters in two areas

Banat and Crisana - in the footwear industry and sportswear.The last, but not least, reference for the analysis of the potential cluster

development in Romania is the CURAS Programme, which was financed within the

Cooperation Agreement between the Romanian and the Flemish Governments. The

project aimed at improving the quality level and the efficient use of SME resources in theautomotive components sector. The result of the program would have been the

implementation of an NGO as a first step towards the institutionalization of a functional

cluster within the automotive sector, located near the Dacia-Renault plant, nearby Pitesti,Arges.

Unfortunately, the results of these studies, as good as they might have been both

form a scientific as well as from the point of view of the application methodology were

not followed by a coherent supportive action on the side of the Romanian authorities andtheir conclusions barely withstand the 2011 actuality test.

Some of the more recent initiatives aiming at developing innovative clusters in

Romania, turned out to be more relevant and should thus be mentioned here as well:

The FP6 Project "Romanian Days of Innovation", run between 2004 2005having as an objective to develop innovative networks at national level in the fields of

ICT and biotechnologies. The ICT network was later enhanced also by means of anational CEEX project "PROM IST PC7" (2006-2007).

Another initiative, this time in support of the automotive suppliers, was the FP6

project "SPRINT" (2005-2007) which had as an objective the development of an

innovative network of automotive suppliers in Romania. The novelty of this projectconsists in the interest conferred to the research-development activities by creating joint

industrial research nuclei in regard to specific topics of research. Twelve such research

nuclei have been identified, still working today.Concerning the wood and furniture industry we can mention the FP7 Project "Pro

Wood" (2008-2010) and it aims at establishing an innovative cluster in the Region of

BrasovCovasna (see box 1).

Finally, in 2008 the Ministry of Economy launched a new campaign ofidentifying existing emerging clusters in Romania. One of the actions undertaken was a

national project aiming at elaborating a handbook for cluster development (Innov

Cluster).

Compared to many other European Countries, Romania's tradition for generalcooperative structures, for deliberate public-private cooperation and for industry-

university collaboration suffers from the distortions of the socialist system. Cooperative

activities particularly in a public-private context often lack trust. Consequently, thethree natural partners of the "Triple helix" model hardly cooperate. It seems, there is gap

between the world of those three actors, which is difficult to overcome. Voluntary

cooperation thus is the exception.To this end, for the Romanian reality the triple helix way of thinking needs to be

modified to a "Four clover" model, where the fourth actor is being represented by catalyst

institutions: service providers in the field of innovation and technological transfer, centres

for technological transfers, chambers of commerce etc. Amongst these we can furtherdifferentiate between specialised service providers (experts in the industrial field of the

clusters) and generalist consultants dealing with management, communication, project


4/9

generation etc. It is obvious that the actors within this model have different contributions

and interests, which have to be harmonised.

After 1989, the Romanian State tried to encourage territorial economic

concetrations throughout public policies. More instruments were used as a part of the

regional and industrial policy in order to create or facilitate what we so call publicclusters.

Among these we may mention the following instruments:

1. industrial parks2. scientific and technological parks

3. free zones

4. deprived areas

5. industrial reconstructing areas with potential for economic growth6. assisted areas

7. business incubators.

One of the tools designed to promote economic competitivity by getting morecompanies into one location was the establishment of business and technological

incubators .At national level, the National Agency for SMEs and Cooperatives (NASMEC)

has initiated a programme for creation and development of technological and business

incubators. The main purpose of the programme is to stimulate the innovative business

development initiatives, SME development and creating new jobs.Although there are no specific regulations that cover the creation and existence of

incubators, in Romania there were registered 19 incubators at the end of 2003.

Indicators of bussines incubators, on regions:

Region Number of functionalincubators Number ofincubated

companies

Number ofemployees

North East 3 118 270

South East 2 65 603

South 2 37 80

South West 5 56 266

West 0 - -

Nord West 1 64 200

Centre 4 19 255

Bucharest 2 41 228

Source: NASMEC, 2004

Overall, an assessment of public cluster (industrial, scientific and technologicalparks, etc) tends to suggest that the structures are artificial, although supported by

specific regulations and few of them are actually operative. There is no evidence of

connection or synergy between the companies acting in these structures.

In the context in which competitivity is the main objective of both industrialpolicy and regional policy, it is expected and suggested that the public authorities take


5/9

into consideration the alternative of (re)allocating the funds to natural clusters, rather than

to insist on spending money on public parks, most often for social and not economicreasons.

Many difficulties have an effect on the clusters, or directly affect them ,

Romanian economy still faces a set of problems that can be addressed more easily outside

the cluster , but whose solution would have a remarkably positive impact on thefunctioning mechanism of clusters (potential). The short list below details the major

concerns of the business community:

1. Legal system and legal instability

The courts are inefficient and the enforcement of the contractual obligations is long

lasting.The frequent modifications of the legislative framework involving long term

planning inefficiency.

2. Infrastructure

While the urban and the intraurban has improved, there is still a big difference between

urban and rural areas in terms of adequate roads and access to public services.

3. Absence of information related to environmental and quality standards

They feared the future implementation of the communitary aquis will increase

considerably costs of the companies.

4. Bureaucracy

The entrepreneurs complain of bureaucracy and corresponding costs incidence(both

financial and time spent by managers).

5. Excessive levels of taxation

Although it is somewhat natural that entrepreneurs always criticize duties, however it

seems that the burden of taxation in general and especially social insurance has been an

obstacle.

The Cluster Mapping Report was elaborated in the frame of a bi-lateral

cooperation agreement between the German Government (represented by the GTZ) andthe Romanian Ministry of Economy (ME). The GTZ was asked in 2009 to support the

Romanian Government in drafting a comprehensive cluster policy strategy including a

mapping of existing clusters in the country. The actual consultancy work was carried outby two consultancy firms: ZENIT GmbH, Germany, and Inno Consult, Romania between

June 2009 and January 2010. In total , eight regional peer workshops were organised in

order to identify clusters and potential clusters in the development regions in Romania.According to the Cluster Mapping Report results (February 2010), a total number

of 55 clusters were identified; i.e. seven clusters per region:


6/9

Identified Regional Clusters:

Region Workshop Location Identified clusters

Bucharest Ilfov Bucharest FurnitureICT

Clothes, shoes and fashion

Audiovisual servicesConstruction materials

Food industryLogistics

Publishing

West Timisoara AutomotiveICT

Construction & Material

Printing

Tourism

Agro Food

Machinery ProductionTextile

Centre Sibiu WineAutomotive Sibiu

Automotive BrasovPharmaceutical Industry

Pottery

North West Cluj ICTElectro TechnologyMedical Services

Geo Thermal Energy

Bio Products

Bio Nutrients and Cosmetics

Bio Fuels

North East Piatra Neamt Clothes and FootwearBio MedicineTourism

Agro FoodWine

PharmacyICT

Wood

South West Craiova AutomotiveICT

EnergyTourism

Chemical Industry and BiotechnologyAgriculture

South Calarasi AutomotiveAgriculture

Petro Chemical Industry

Bio FuelsTourism

Glass Industry

Electro Technical Industry

Metallurgy

South East Braila ICTAgro Food

Tourism

Ship Building

Alternative Energy


7/9

Overview of Mapping Results:

Workshop

LocationRegion Number of

Clusters

identified

Average

labour force

assessment

Average

number of

cooperation

projects

Average

number of

Third party

serviceproviders

Bucharest Bucharest

Ilfov

8,0 11,10 1,0 2,25

Timisoara West 8,0 12,75 1,0 2,50

Sibiu Centre 5,0 12,50 1,0 1,20

Cluj North West 7,0 11,30 5,5 2,50

Piatra Neamt North East 8,0 10,30 1,4 1,25

Craiova South West 6,0 10,60 2,1 3,80

Calarasi South 8,0 10,90 1,5 2,75

Braila South East 5,0 10,80 1,2 1,80

Total 55,0 90,25 14,7 18,05Average 6,9 11,28 1,84 2,26

Out of the 55 clusters identified, only 22 passed the criteria of actual cooperation

and availability/usage of innovation services. In the eight regions there have been

recognised between two and four clusters.

Region Workshop Location Identified clusters

Bucharest Ilfov Bucharest Clothes, shoes and fashion

Construction materialsFood industry

Publishing

West Timisoara AutomotiveICT

Centre Sibiu WoodWine

Pottery

North West Cluj Geo Thermal Energy

North East Piatra Neamt TourismAgro Food

South West Craiova Automotive

TourismAgriculture

South Calarasi AutomotiveAgriculture

Tourism

Electro Technical Industry

South East Braila LogisticsTourism

Ship Building


8/9

Map of Romanian clusters:

According to the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Bussines, GeneralDirectorate of Industrial Policy and Competitiveness ( november 2010), in Romania there

are 17 clusters in different industry sectors and by the end of 2010 another 8 clusters were

to be created in the following fields of activity: aviation, renewable energies, ship

building, logistics, automotive and furniture.

No. Cluster name Sector Website Town

1. AUTOMOTIVESTRegional cluster

Automotivewww.adrvest.ro Timisoara

2 ICT Regional

Cluster

ICT www.aries-tm.ro Timisoara

3 Dacia Renault

Cluster

Automotivewww.acarom.ro Pitesti
http://www.adrvest.ro/http://www.adrvest.ro/http://www.adrvest.ro/http://www.aries-tm.ro/http://www.aries-tm.ro/http://www.acarom.ro/http://www.acarom.ro/http://www.acarom.ro/http://www.acarom.ro/http://www.aries-tm.ro/http://www.adrvest.ro/


9/9

4 PRO WOOD

Regional Wood

Cluster

Silviculture

and Wood

industry

www.kofa.ro

www.prowood.ro

Sfantu-

Gheorghe

5 Green energy

cluster

Renewable

energies

www.greenenergy.org.ro Sfantu-Gheorghe

6 TURINN Cluster Sustainable

and

innovative

tourism

www.aptmh.tk Drobeta Turnu Severin

7. Agro-Food

Regional Cluster

Agro-food www.expoarad.eu Arad

8 Electro-technical

Regional Cluster

ETREC

Electro-

technics

www.electroprecizia.ro Sacele-Brasov

9. ASTRICO Textiles

Cluster

Textiles www.astricone.eu Savinesti

10 Furniture Cluster Furniture www.mobex.ro Tg.Mures

11 Agro-Food Cluster

Bucharest

Agro-food www.inma.ro/pactmar/ Bucharest

12 Tourism Regional

Cluster

Tourism www.bucovinaturism.ro Suceava

13 Fashion Clothes

Cluster

TCF sectorswww.fepaius.ro Bucharest

14 Agro-food Cluster Agro-food www.icc.ro Iasi

15 ICTRegional

Competitiveness

Pole

ICT www.ipacv.ro Craiova

16 Tourism South East Tourism www.asociatia-litoral.ro Constantza, Mamaia

17 Geothermal Energy

Cluster

Geothermal

energy

www.nord-vest.ro Cluj Napoca
http://www.kofa.ro/http://www.kofa.ro/http://www.prowood.ro/http://www.prowood.ro/http://www.aptmh/http://www.mobex.ro/http://www.inma.ro/pactmarhttp://www.inma.ro/pactmarhttp://www.bucovinaturism.ro/http://www.bucovinaturism.ro/http://www.fepaius.ro/http://www.fepaius.ro/http://www.fepaius.ro/http://www.ipacv.ro/http://www.ipacv.ro/http://www.asociatia-litoral.ro/http://www.asociatia-litoral.ro/http://www.nord-vest.ro/http://www.nord-vest.ro/http://www.nord-vest.ro/http://www.asociatia-litoral.ro/http://www.ipacv.ro/http://www.fepaius.ro/http://www.bucovinaturism.ro/http://www.inma.ro/pactmarhttp://www.mobex.ro/http://www.aptmh/http://www.prowood.ro/http://www.kofa.ro/

clusters study clusters romania

Documents