BR awards business champions of 2012

Over 200 representatives on the business community attended, last night, the eight annual Awards Gala organized by the weekly magazine Business Review, which recognized the outstanding achievements of companies and entrepreneurs that stood out from the crowd last year.

Traian Halalai, Eximbank president, headed the independent jury that assessed the nominees, which had consistent and positive investment objectives over the past year in term of balance, management strategy, customer focus and development growth.

In the Sustainable Business Practice, the grand prize was awarded to Metro Cash & Carry for developing the De-ale Noastre program supporting local vegetable producers that supply retailers. The retailer also introduced last year, the La Doi Pasi franchise sustaining the traditional trade model. Over 500 stores have enrolled in the program since March 2012.

The Online strategy for business development award went to online retailer eMAG for contributing to the growth of the local online market. The company launched new product categories and launched the Bulgarian e-commerce platform eMAG.bg. The retailer invested EUR 1 million in a new Brasov showroom and another EUR 400,000 for warehouse equipment.

R&D center Renault Technologie Roumanie (RTR) took home the Innovation in technology prize for the design release of a new generation of Logan, Sandero and Sandero Stepway models. The largest part of the designing was made by Romanian engineers and the cars were tested exclusively in Romania.

Romanian lender Banca Transilvania was named the Best SMEs Supporter for launching the Contul primul an gratuit financial product for start ups. Entrepreneurs benefit from zero commission for a series of banking operations.

Best Business Initiative was the new award introduced this year, which went to Romanian Business Leaders (RBL)for launching the Agenda Romania conference and releasing the Good Governance Barometer Quarterly Report. RBL comprises of leaders active in the private sector.

Iulian Stanciu, eMAG CEO, was declared the entrepreneur of the year, for selling 70 percent of the online retailer to South-Africa-based media company Naspers. He also became the sole shareholder in IT&C retailer Flanco and distribution company Network One Distribution.

The Best Employment Initiative award went to the Big 4 accounting giants (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PwC, KPMG) for their extensive drive towards quality recruitment. Every year, the Big 4 firms recruit bright graduates, to whom they offer training and clear career paths.

Mariana Gheorghe, CEO of oil and gas company OMV Petrom, was declared the Best business leader of the year. Under her tenure, the company profits reached fresh records highs. Gheorghe has headed OMV Petrom for more than six years.

Romanian eMAG won the Deal of the Year award, after South Africa-based multination bought last year a 70 percent in the online retailer in a deal worth USD 83 million, according to market estimates.

The Excellence in Business award went to Dacia Group Romania, which operates a car and a chassis plant locally. It reported a turnover of EUR 2.9 billion in 2011.

Ovidiu Posirca