PwC: The value of mergers in Romania will increase 45% in the next 4 years

“We can expect acquisitions in the construction material market and some services, especially financial and medical,” added Stoicoviciu.

The annual average of transactions will be $50 million in 2008. According to Stoicoviciu, there were 14 “mega transactions” in 2007, each exceeding $100 mln, and most in real estate.

“Western Europe is the main area from which foreign investors will come. However, Central European investors, especially from Poland, will continue to buy in Romania,” Stoicoviciu said.

In 2007, there were 211 transactions between private partners, totaling €5.4 billion, and representing 5.1 percent of Romania’s GDP. Oil and gas markets dominated the transactions, with a 37 percent market share, and real estate with 17 percent.

Stoicoviciu estimates that transactions already made in 2008 amount to almost half a billion euro