The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Romanian FMCG transporter Aquila have agreed to the terms of a EUR 5 mln loan extended by the bank along with an option to buy shares of up to another EUR 5 mln from the group's founders - C?t?lin Vasile and Alin Dociu. The financing package thus amounts to EUR 10 mln. The proceeds from the loan will enable Aquila to finance the expansion of its portfolio of brands (currently including 'Gradena' refrigerated vegetables and 'Yachtis' refrigerated fish and seafood), new warehouse automation, a new ERP system, as well as other working capital and capital expenditures needs, the EBRD says in a press release. These investments will improve the reach of Aquila's brands, as well as improve warehouse productivity and help the company enhance its digitalisation. Aquila Part Prod Com (Aquila) is the largest FMCG distributor in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, delivering to 67,000 selling points. It operates a network of 14 distribution centers and a fleet of over 1,600 vehicles. The company's turnover reached EUR 370 mln in 2020, according to Ziarul Financiar.
Exim Banca Romaneasca diversifies its product portfolio and launches the Mastercard World card in EURO, a tool that enhances the payment experience for people who travel or work abroad, offering premium advantages, benefits, and rewards. The new EURO card from Exim Banca Romaneasca has as its main advantage the reduction of costs associated with transactions...
A report by cybersecurity company Refute uncovered a large-scale international influence operation targeting Romanian diaspora voters on TikTok ahead of the second round of Romania’s presidential elections on May 18. The report identifies approximately 32,500 TikTok videos containing slogans promoting the populist candidate George Simion and former candidate Călin Georgescu. Many of these videos are […]
Romania's gross domestic product (GDP) remained largely unchanged in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published on May 15 by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). The economy recorded a growth of 0.2% in gross series and 0.5% in seasonally adjusted series compared to the same quarter of […]
Iulius Mall Suceava has officially inaugurated its EUR 40 million expansion that transformed it into “the largest retail and entertainment hub in northern Romania,” according to the official announcement. Developed by IULIUS and Atterbury Europe, the project adds 16,500 sqm of new retail space, bringing the mall's total area to 60,000 sqm. The expansion introduces […]
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced the launch of the second edition of its Star Venture program in Romania this week, following a first edition in 2022. The program provides high-potential startups with business expertise and access to finance. After the round of applications, 10 promising startups were shortlisted to showcase their […]
Non-profit BookLand started building last year a pre-university, dual-system campus in the village of Vultureşti, in southern Romania’s Argeş county. The campus will train pupils in various specializations, allowing them to work in industries ranging from hotels & restaurants to retail and food. More on how the project got off the ground and what it […]
