Geografia d'Europa: textos de suport

It is known that free zones are a major component of the market economy, ensuring one of the largest customs facilities to international trade. Taking into account the multiple advantages offered by the existence of the free to the countries where they are located, these ones have been world-wide developed during the late years.

The importance of the free zones activities on the territory of our country is also unquestionable. In the current geo-political context, when Romania can become a turning table of the economic relations between Far East and Western Europe, free zones are extremely important elements of the economies in transition.

Thus, the establishment and the ensurance of the working for a great network of free zones is a constant objective of the Romanian governmental policy for economic development. In this context, in June 1991 the Free Zones Agency was established, a working compartment within Ministry of Transport. Free Zones Agency elaborates and applies the general strategy for the establishment, modernisation and development of free zones, as well as Governmental Decisions for their establishment and coordinates the activity of the free zone administration. Through a sustained activity, Free Zones Agency has elaborated the law which regulates the juridical regime of free zones in Romania (Law no. 84/1992) and has already established, under Government Decisions, four important zones: Sulina, Constantza-South, Galatzi and Braila.

In their establishment activity it has taken into account the international centers at the junction of railway-, road-, river- and maritime- axes, the regions with a high industrial and agricultural potential, near to raw materials sources, with a qualified labour.

Romanian free zones provide thus, from the starting point, a number of advantages to all the participants (foreign and Romanian investors, and to national economy too). Being aware of the benefic impact on the national economy of the foreign capital infusion, an attractive legal frame was created for both Romanian and foreign investors through fiscal and customs facilities, provided by the Law  no. 35/1991 regarding the conditions of foreign investments, and by the Law no. 84/1992 regarding the free zones conditions: the means of transport, the merchandises and other goods from abroad or destined for other countries which enter or are taken out of the free zones are relieved from paying customs duties and taxes; for the activities carried on in free zones, business organizations are exempted from paying the value added tax (VAT), the excises and profits tax throughout the whole period of carrying out these activities; facilities regarding profit and capital repatriation; guarantee of foreign investment in Romania; lands and buildings within free zones can be leased or rented, the leasing term being of maximum 50 years; ensuring utility services. Apart from these general advantages, there are also advantages specific to each free zone.

Thus, the first free zone established - which became operational on March 22nd , 1993, is Free Zone of Sulina with a tradition in the field considering that the Port of Sulina has been operating as a free zone ever since 1978. Being situated at the Eastern end of the Danube, where the Sulina arm flows into the Black Sea, this free zone has a rather isolated position as there are no adequate railway and road acces routes. Nevertheless, it has a very complex infrastructure and port equipment.

The Free Zone of Sulina has two perimeters whose total area covers 100 ha. At present, the activity is carried on in the first perimeter with an area of 34,39 ha. The Port of Sulina consists of two zones differentiated according to the type of activity conducted: a trade area and an industrial area. In the conditions of opening the Danube-Main-Rhin waterway, the Free Zones of Sulina is of a real economic interest, at least for river countries. The most complex and important Romanian free zone is Free Zone of Constantza - South, in the southern part of Constantza, forming together the biggest port in South-Eastern Europe.

Through its position at the junction of the roads between Europe and Orient and through its dimensions, Constantza South Port is an important point of attraction for the merchandise traffic and for the development of the economic activities both industrial and commercial. The Free Zone of Constantza - South benefits by the existance of the transport infrastructures (sea, river, railway, and road transport) which ensures the links with various sources of supply and markets from Central Europe, Mediteranean Basin, Near and Middle East.

The opening of Danube - Main - Rhin warterway has created a corridor between the Black Sea and the North Sea which shortens considerably the route from Far East to Central and Western Europe. The Port of Constantza, being located at the extremity of this corridor, has a real perspective of development. It can be considered that this port will have similar functions like those of Rotterdam Port for Eastern Part of Europe, benefiting by a favourable location. The international airport "Kogalniceanu", located at 23 km from Constantza, allows the taking off and landing of any type of aircraft without any noise restrictions. In addition it exists proposals for the development of free zone activities, inside of this airport, which will be addresed to Romania and Eastern Europe like Shannon Airport (Ireland) for Western Europe.

Última actualització: 13 de junio de 2002