“I do not think that the business will increase significantly this year. In times of crisis, there is no other solution than state investments. I believe this is our salvation, and on the other hand it is the only way to use the European funds destined for infrastructure. And I think they will approve investments, because the new government needs results,” the Chairman of Alcatel-Lucent Romania, Dan Bedros, told Business Standard.
The company posted €198.9 million in net sales in 2007, and a net profit worth €21.5 mln, according to data provided by the Ministry of Finance. According to Bedros, last year, the projects for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Transelectrica electricity company, and those for the CFR national railway company, compensated for the decline on classic businesses, such as telecom.
Considering the crisis, Alcatel-Lucent Romania will not lay off staff, and will even continue to recruit some 50-100 persons in 2009. The company presently has 1,600 employees.
“In Romania we have no drop in personnel, and we do not have a high increase either, but we do not have a decline, because the market is stable. The market is not falling in this entire area, at least not at the moment. It is difficult to say, but I do not think there will be problems this year,” Bedros added.
