Embassy Press Release

Remarks of Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman on the Official Opening Ceremony of the Emerson Facility in Cluj Napoca

Ambassador Nicholas Taubman joined local political and business leaders in Cluj-Napoca on April 15 to celebrate the Grand Opening of Emerson’s new engineering design and production facilities. The state-of-the-art complex, which will eventually employ more than 2,000 workers in four separate plants, will design and produce gas valves and regulator devices, electrical engines, generators, and power tools. The Ambassador congratulated Emerson for bringing such an impressive facility to Romania, and hailed the opening as symbolic of the dynamic contribution that American investment is making to Romania’s economic development. Emerson, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is a diversified global technology company with more than 140,000 employees and 265 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania,
April 15, 2008

Ambassador Taubman presenting a speech at the Official Opening Ceremony of the Emerson Facility in Cluj Napoca. April 15, 2008.

On coming up here today, I think I can guarantee Romania that there won’t be any droughts this summer; in any case, it won’t be in Cluj. About two and a half years ago, I sat here, on an empty piece of land, with one of the executives of Emerson. I thought that, being a very low-lying piece of land, there would be floods. When I came here today, it proved that Emerson was right and I was wrong. In any case, we’re glad to see such a fine American corporation here.

Prefect Platon,
Council President Nicoara,
Mayor Boc,
Mr. David Farr,
and distinguished guests:

It is wonderful to be here in Cluj today to participate in this important event, and I thank you for your kind invitation. As Ambassador, it is deeply gratifying to be able to welcome American companies to Romania. Emerson is universally recognized for combining superior engineering with cutting-edge technology to produce equipment used in homes and businesses around the globe. Mr. Farr, I am delighted that such a marquee corporate name is joining the other distinguished American companies operating in Romania, and I know that you will be pleased with your decision to locate here. The advanced manufacturing technology and know-how you bring will be well matched with the skills and dedication that your Romanian employees will bring to the job. It will be a dynamic combination.

I also recognize that, among the many cities and regions in Romania, your decision to locate this impressive new facility in Cluj is no accident. Most everywhere there is talk about welcoming foreign investment, but here in Cluj that talk is becoming reality. Let me say just a few words about why I think that is so.

As a businessman, I know well that when companies look for promising places to invest, they seek a skilled workforce, responsive government, and good infrastructure. The fact that Emerson, which has facilities in 265 locations around the world, has chosen to come here means Cluj has what such investors are looking for.

The skilled workforce of the future starts with the young people of today. I have always been especially impressed with the large population of young people here. They have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and the excellent schools and universities here provide the foundation that allows this spirit to flourish. Emerson will be able to tap into this bright and capable workforce.

Another important element for attracting investment is responsive government. I want to commend the Mayor, the Prefect, and the other local leaders here who exemplify this spirit, because they are clearly getting results. At the beginning of this month, President George Bush visited Romania for the NATO Summit. I participated in his meetings with both President Basescu and Prime Minister Tariceanu, and I can tell you that they both included a discussion of the strong U.S.-Romania economic partnership. Keeping that partnership healthy will depend on building the kinds of solid relationships between U.S. investors and Romanian officials that are evident here in Cluj. You are setting an example for the rest of the country, and for that I congratulate you.

The last important pillar is infrastructure. Plants such as this one must have reliable access to supplies and the ability to get products to market quickly and cost-effectively. Modern expressways, such as the Transylvania Motorway now under construction by Bechtel near here, are the lifelines that will tie Cluj and the rest of Romania to the markets of Europe and the world. And I can also say, at this time it is important to say, that the government here drove the matter of the Transylvania Motorway be constructed here and now. I congratulate Cluj County and the city for that kind of entrepreneurship and for understanding what’s most important in the industry. Put simply, the prospect of improved infrastructure drives business decisions -- it is in anticipation of that Motorway that Emerson and other multinational firms are coming to Cluj. I hope all of Romania will see from this example the power of infrastructure to promote growth and prosperity. Certainly the more than 2,000 employees who will eventually work in good jobs at this plant will understand that.

There is no better symbol of confidence in Romania's future, and of America's contribution to it, than this marvelous facility. Thank you once again for the privilege of participating in this proud day for Emerson and for Cluj.

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