CFR Marfa expecting €575 mln turnover in 2008

"Everything that is produced in an economy is reflected in transportation. As such, an increase in industrial activities will be reflected in the volume of transported goods," according to a statement for Business Standard by Liviu Bobar, the company's General Manager.

CFR Marfa plans to invest €80 mln of its own funds this year, to be used to acquire new train cars and modernize all railway equipment. This is necessary to face the competition, both internally and abroad.

The company is determined to maintain its 75 percent goods transport market share.

CFR Marfa transported 49.6 million tons of merchandise last year and estimates a volume of 50 mln tons in 2008.

As a result of higher fuel costs, the company has already raised its fees this year by 10 percent for internal transport and by 15 percent for international transport.

CFR Marfa could be privatized this year. The Minister of Transports, Ludovic Orban, hopes to obtain at least €1 billion.

The consortium selected to draw up the privatization strategy is Deloitte-Bostina and Associates, and the contract is worth €55,000.